RISING PRICES?

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19887, 16 May 1936, Page 12

RISING PRICES?

OPPOSITION FEARS. FACTORY BILL DEBATE. “ECONOMICALLY BERSERK.** Speaking on the Factories Amendmen*. Bill during the committee stages in. the House of Representatives, the Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. G. W. Forl es. said the result of the Government's policy as outlined in the Bill would be that all the advantage which the workers would apparently receive would be taken up in the increased cost of the articles they required. Wages would never keep pace with rising prices as the extra costs to industry would he co great that, prices must inevitably rise - and they would always be a little ahead of wages. “Familiar Arguments.” ! “The arguments of the Opposition j are quite familiar.” said the Minister ! of Pubi c Works. Hon. R. Semple, who j followed Mr Forbes. “For centuries 1 any efforts made to improve the eon- ! dilions of the great mass of the people have been nict with the same argu- ! ments that we have heard from the Dpnositton during the past two days. I-t is the same old tune played In the ■ same ohl way.” | The Minister said it was true that prices would go up if the Government was stupid enough to allow them to gro up. but it was not stupid enough to allow the exploiter to take advantage of the amendments to the law that were being brought in. That sort of thing was not going to be permitted. Mr Forbes: If extra costs are placed on industry, is it not natural that, the prices of goods should Increase? Mr Semple: If there are Industrie! which cannot function and give their employees a decent livelihood then they ere better closed. "We cannot all he American millionaires living on champagne and turkey.” said Mr W. P. Endean (Opposition—Parnell' . "We must not forget that we are Isolated economically from the rest of the world, but this Bill goes economically berserk. Mr Semple: Whoopee. As Mr Endean resumed his seat th« Prime Minister, Mr Savage, moved the closure. Members of the Opposition called for a division on the closure motion, which was carried by 48 votes to 17. The short title was then allowed to go through on the voices. « Intimidation Alleged. The allegation that employees had been intimidated Into accepting unsatisfactory wages and conditions during the depression was made by Mr W. J. Lyon 'Government — Waltemata). “There has been some objection from the other side of the House to Hie clause in the Bill which prohibits the dismissal of workers because of the introduction of the shorter working week.” Mr Lyon said. “This raises an Important point whloh ought to receive the serious consideration of the House—tho victimisation of the omnloyee on the one hand and intimidation by the employer on the other. Thir. process of intimidation has been used very effectively during the depression to force workers to remain under unsatisfactory conditions. The contention that the holiday provisions in the Factories Amendment BMI had always been in the Arbitration Court awards was made by the Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong. The Minister pointed out that If a . person were entitled to a holiday on full pay he received that for doing nothing. Therefore, if an Individual were asked to work on ‘3‘uoh a holiday he should receive double pay for it in addition, for if someone else had to be engaged to do the work double pay would have to be paid. The House adjourned at 10.30 PJR*