COST OF LIVING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1941, Page 4

COST OF LIVING

WAGE INCREASE SOUGHT APPLICATION MADE TO COURT CASE OUTLINED BY WORKERS’ ADVOCATE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Application under the Rates of Wages Emergency Regulations, 1940, was made before the Court of Arbitration in Wellington yesterday by the New Zealand Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Industrial Union of Workers, for an increase to the extent of 7.8 per cent in rates of pay to cover the increased cost of living. All awards, industrial agreements and apprenticeship orders will be affected if the application is granted. It is similar to that made by the New Zealand Federatedl Painters’ and’ Decorators’ Industrial Association of Workers in August, 1940, when the Court granted a 5 per cent increase. The regulations give the Court power on the application of any industrial union or industrial association of employers or workers, to amend by general order the provisions of all awards and industrial agreements in force so far as such provisions determine the rate of remuneration of workers.

Following upon a request for a 5.3 per cent increase in wages based on an equivalent rise which he said was shown by the retail prices index, the workers’ advocate (Mr A. McLagan) submitted that on a conservative estimate another 24 per cent should be added to compensate for defects and omissions in the index, making a 7.8 pel’ cent increase to meet the higher cost of living. He dealt extensively with numerous aspects of the index which, he claimed, in consequence of its deficiencies and the basic nature of its determination, under-stated the real cost of living. One of the main reasons he cited for increased living costs in New Zealand was the higher cost of imported articles, but he made reference to high rentals now prevailing because of the housing shortage, and quoted statements from the recent inquiry into the high price of fresh vegetables and fruit. These items of diet, he said, were increasingly important in the modern mode of living, but were actually omitted from the commodities index.

Mr Justice Tyndall presided, with him on the Bench being Messrs W. Cecil Prime (employers’ assessor) and L. M. Monteith (employees’ assessor). The case for the applicants is being taken by Mr A. McLagan, president of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Mr W. J. Mountjoy, secretary of the Wellington Employers’ Association, is appearing on behalf of the employers of New Zealand.

, The case is expected to occupy five or six sitting days of the Court. Yesterday was occupied with the presentation of the case for the applicants, and this side of the hearing will be continued today.