FURTHER WAGE INCREASES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 50, 1 March 1939, Page 3

FURTHER WAGE INCREASES

ARE THEY JUSTIFIED? OUTLOOK NOW ALTERED. ( Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. Submissions that are considered likely to have an important bearing on the question of award wages were made in the Court of Arbitration in Wellington to-day by Mr. H. J. Bishop, advocate for the employers in Lhe Dominion engine-drivers’ dispute. In opposing claims for wage increases by the workers, Mr. Bishop contended that the time for such increases had passed and it was essential to put a stop to further increases in costs. The employers offered the rates fixed in the northern district award of January 5, 1938, and asked the Court to adhere strictly to these rates.

“New Zealand’s overseas funds are drastically depleted and the Government has found it necessary to take drastic measures to rehabilitate the country’s finances,” said Mr. Bishop.

“In these circumstances I ask the Court to give a lead and adhere strictly to the rates fixed in the northern award. Only thus will industrial harmony and stability be attained. A departure from the Court’s latest opinion at present would undoubtedly lead to further claims by the unions and a further congestion of the business before the Court.” Referring to the reasons given by the Court for increases in standard wage rates in 1937, Mr. Bishop said they were that the outlook for the future at that time was bright. Events had happened since which the Court could not be expected to foresee and had altered the outlook. He submitted that were the Court to fix standard rates now they would be much lower than in 1937. Mr. Bishop contended that a precedent had already been established in the recent dispute affecting the freezing industry. A complete agreement had been reached in conciliation proceedings, the wages remmaining the same as they were in the previous award. This was a clear recognition by the workers that there was no justification for further wage increases.