REVISION OF BASIC WAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2490, 7 October 1922, Page 2

REVISION OF BASIC WAGE.

Wellington, October 5. In making an appeal to the Arbitration Court in connection with the revision of the basic wage, Mr W. A. Grenfell, the employers’ representative, .-aid: “Tn April, 1920, when the whole Dominion was flushed with the greatest period of prosperity, brought about by the high prices of primary products and expenditure of war moneys, the court saw tit to materially increase the rate of wages. Will the court particularly note that the only grounds upon which, the court founded its determination to increase these rates were that there was a general shortage of labour, and that employers had voluntarily raised the wages of workers above the basic wage fixed by the court in -1019. The position to-day is quite a contrast, for there is no shortage of labour —a surplus rather. The employers are now anxious to secure a reduction of wage.” LABOUR’S PROTEST.

Wellington, Last Night. The conference convened by the Trades and Labour Council to discuss what action is to be taken with reference to a possible Arbitration Court pronouncement on a reduction in wages, decided to bold a public meeting on Sunday week to discuss the pronouncement on the cost of living variation and that if the reduction in wages which is foreshadowed, that steps should be taken tn prevent the enforcement of such reductions, on the ground that wages at present are insufficient to provide a fair standard of living, especially as unemployment is so rife. A committee was set up to confer with the Alliance of Labour on the matter of arranging for an advocate to conduct Labour’s case against a reduction, before the Arbitration Court.