UNIONS AND WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20915, 21 September 1939, Page 9

UNIONS AND WAR

PAY OF CARPENTERS CONTRABT WITH SOLDIERS’ PAY HOUSE DISCUSSES SACRIFICE (By Telegraph.—Special to Time*) WELLINGTON, Wednesday “The first people to put out their hands and try and profiteer in this country were the unions,” said Mr W. A. Bodkin (Opposition —Central Otago;, during the debate on the Appropriation Bill in the House of Representatives today. “if anyone wants an illustration he xuu> just to sec the camps where the carpenters' unions dictated the terms of tneir wages.”

The acting-Prime Minister, tne lion. P. Fraser: Thai is dehuitely incorrect.

Mr Bodkin: Whatever the actingPrime Minister says 1 know that there are thousands ol young loaows in this country offering to serve New Zealand at 7s a day and — The speaker: order, order. The attention of Mr Bodkin was drawn by the Speaker to the fact that the measure beiore the House was the Appropriation Bill, uud that while a measure of latitude was allowed iL did not extend to the subject the member had introduced.

Mr Bodkin: I will endeavour to obey your ruling, Sir, but it is difficult when oue finds the farming community beinig slandered, not by direct attack, but ny inference. The farmers, Mr Bodkin added, were willing to co-operate 10U per cent with the Government, but the question at issue, the regulation of stock prices, was a seasonal matter and not one connected with the war. Similar ground was covered later by Mr S. G. Holland (Opposition — Christchurch North), who referred to the difference between the wages neiug paid to the men who were building the camps and the men who were to occupy them. Men were being paid 27s a day to build huts for others who were to earn 7s a day. "1 question whether there is a greater example of profiteering in this country today,” said Mr Holland. Adjustment Needed The acting-Prlme Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, said he realised that some matters might require adjustment. “There are war conditions today and you cannot discriminate in a crisis oelween what are seasonal conditions and what are war conditions,” Mr Fraser said. “The tendency is always to force up prices, and if the tendency is to be nipped in the bud it has to he done immediately, it is quite possible that anomalies and even injustices will take place.” Mr W. J. Poison (Opposition— Stratford; : The farmers will be 100 per cent with you. Mr D. C. Kidd (Opposition—Waitaki) : Yes, 180 per cent. Mr Fraser: “If any anomalies have arisen the Government will undertake to inquire into them and in a spirit of equity to adjust them and take advice from any and every quarter so that we can feel we are going ahead as a united people.” Carpenters’ Wages Mr Fraser said he wanted also to correct what had been said by Mr Bodkin In connection with carpenters dictating the terms of their wages. The only demands that had been made in the matter had been made by some of the Ministers. The unions were approached in connection with threeshift work, and most of them, with the Federation of Labour, agreed 100 per cent. One branch did not, but the Dunedin carpenters and joiners said that they would be willing to work three shifts at ordinary rates.

Offer For Government

“The hon. gentleman said that because men were in camp for 7s a day, and not only giving up their time, but also risking their lives on behalf of Lha country, others should make a commensurate sacrifice,” Mr Fraser said. “All right. 1 arn going to say this, speakinig for the Government, that we are prepared, if it can be done, to live at the same rate as the soldiers.”

opposition Voices: So are we aIL

Mr Fraser explained that when he said that he was not going to say that it would be possible to adjust everybody to it, but the matter was to he looked at from that point of view. “As far as we can equalise sacrifices we will do so,” he continued,

“whether we are carpenters, or members of the Government, or farmers, or waterside workers. The time may come, if this thing goes on, when we may subscribe literally to what today we subscribe to in our hearts.”

“1 think the House and the country will appreciate the remarks of the acting-Leader of the House,” said the Rt. Hon. J. G. Goatfes (opposition— Kaipara), who followed Mr Fraser. “They appeal* to me to be honest and earnest.”