BONUS CONSIDERED INADEQUATE

Southland Times, Issue 24233, 17 September 1940, Page 4

BONUS CONSIDERED INADEQUATE

RAILWAY WORKERS WANT AT LEAST 10/- WEEKLY (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 16. A mass meeting of workers at the Hutt railway workshops today carried the following motions: — This meeting considers the cost-of-living bonus given by, the Government entirely inadequate, and reaffirms its previous decision that at least 10/- a week is necessary to bring the living standard back to the 1938 level. That the meeting has no confidence in the Price Investigation Tribunal as constituted, and asks the Government to give the workers representation on the tribunal to enable serious control and the stabilizing of prices in the interests of the people of New Zealand.

APPRECIATION OF INCREASE EXPRESSED (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, September 16. “I think the majority of our members feel gratified that the Government has recognized the justice of their claims for some assistance in meeting the increased cost of living,” said Mr E. C. J. Foot, president of the Otago section of the Public Service Association, when commenting today on the announcement by the. Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) of increases in civil servants’ salaries. “It has been felt for a long time in the service,” Mr Foot said, “that some increase was due to the lower-paid workers, who were definitely in need of assistance, particularly when they were married. It was especially satisfying to see that section receive an increase in wages, but members of the association on the whole were appreciative of what the Government had done for them.”