WAGES AND COSTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 98, 20 January 1943, Page 4

WAGES AND COSTS

Tracies Council Criticizes Government Policy (By Te!egr;i|i!i. — Press Assucialluu.» January 19. Dissatisfaction with the Governnient’s delay in introducing stabilization ot, wages and prices till two years alter the federation of Lai hour conference approved such a policy is expressed in a statement unanimously adopted l;,v the Auckland Trades Council and sent to the Prime Minister and the chairman of the Stabilization Committee.

The statement declares that living costs have increased out of all proportion to the general increases granted by the Arbitration Court, and the position of the wage-earners in New Zealand requires immediate consideration.

The index prices generally used in computing movements ot the cost of living are criticized and described as a most unreliable guide. The council contends that the rise shown should l.e 25 per emit., not 13a V l ' 1 * cent., and makes five recommendations to lhe Government : Price fixing lor all commodities vitally necessary to workers families; (2) the establishment ot machinery to make price-lixing more comprehensive and effective, with provision for more democratic control : (3) rationing of all essential commodities; (4) a comph te review of the position of, all pensioners and social security beneficiaries. Government servants and all workers. partiiuiiarly the lower paid; (•>) raising the minimum tax levelsand the remission of taxation on overtime earnings and penalty rates of pay.