HIGHER WAGES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21192, 15 August 1940, Page 14

HIGHER WAGES

FARM WORKERS CABINET CONSIDERATION (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday An extension of the 5 per cent wage increase to cover farm workers as well as those employed under awards will receive the consideration of the Cabinet. The Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, said this evening that the Cabinet was going fully into the position, but in the meantime the increase applied only to those working under awards. He had an opinion on the matter himself, but he cc/ald not express it just yet. POSSIBLE APPEALS PROVINCIAL EMPLOYERS (By Telegrapn.—special to Times) AUCKLAND, Wednesday The Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association is preparing a circular to members in connection with the general wages order. The purpose is to point out the clauses of the Rates of Wages Emergency Regulations, 1940, empowering the Arbitration Court to exclude sections of workers from the operations of general orders affecting wages. Mr W. Slaughter, acting-secretary of the association, said he was asking employers, if they considered the awards to which they were working called for review, to communicate with him, stating the reasons for their opinion. The replies would be co-ordinated and a meeting would be called. The association would try to call meetings of employers affected by individual awards, to frame notices of appeal. Tramwaymen’s Bonus In the case of the Auckland tramwaymen, who in May received a cost of living bonus of 8 per cent, the chairman of the tribunal that granted the increase, Mr S. Ritchie, said he had made the increase in the form of a bonus, so that if the Court later granted a general rise, it would be computed on the original wages paid to tramwaymen, and not on the new higher rates. Whether the rise of 8 per cent absorbs the 5 per cent now granted by general order will be discussed by the Auckland Transport Eoard next Monday.