INCREASED FARES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24405, 17 September 1940, Page 6

INCREASED FARES

WELLINGTON TRAM SERVICE HIGHER OPERATING COSTS (Fed United Press Association) ;: WELLINGTON. Sept. 16. ■. By 10 votes to 6, the Wellington City Council at an adjourned meeting this afternoon adopted 9 report from the Tramway"’ Committee advocating proposals to increase the tram fares on Sundays and holidays, to reduce the number of, rides on the one-section concession tickets from eight to seven, and to revise the system of bus fares. The increase in operating expenses as a result of the. recent 5 per cent, rise in wages was estimated in the, report at £16,900 . a year; which,-unless steps were taken to meet the - position, would result in a loss for the year of £18,900. The proposed new charges are to be submitted to the Price Tribunal for approval. PASSING IT ON employers; position,; MEETING WAGE INCREASES The recent general order made by the Arbitration Court granting an increase of 5 per cent; in wages to all employees working under awards or industrial agreements is criticised in the annual report of the Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association. The report states that in recent, months almost every new award prescribed higher wage rates or more,expensive conditions, and in the long run the workers would reap no benefit from the increase of 5 per cent, granted in the general order, because employers would be obliged to pass on the increased wage costs to- the consumer by w?y of increased, prices fori.goods and services. v;. tUn-sjter The report continues that all agreed production should be maintained at its present level, and. if possible, increased. Approximate!v 60,000 men had left trade and industry to join the armed forces and the remainder, must work harder and longer if production was to be maintained or increased; “ If hours of work increased by 10 per cent. and. the workers naid extra —say, ordinary - rates—for the extra time worked, production would,. be maintained and possibly increased,,and the workers’ additional earnings would more than offset ?rv p l '° t mn+ or fiffn.ro in the cost of living. w This c 'mple ’-ordeal, pod, in fact. only, solution ; of th« p-oWein .cannot be disregarded for long.”