STABILISATION AND COST OF LIVING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 129, 16 March 1950, Page 6

STABILISATION AND COST OF LIVING

SUBMISSIONS IN AWARD PROCEEDINGS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 14. Stabilisation was a thing of the past, said the workers’ advocate, Mr J. H. Collins, in the Arbitration Court today. The - cost of living was increasing so steadily, he said, that the workers were entitled to be somewhat dubious in tying themselves down to an award for a period of two years. Before that period elapsed the cost of living would be considerably higher, he said. Mr Collins was appearing for the Northern, Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland Cleaners, Caretakers, Lift Attendants, and Watchmen’s Union. The union is claiming increased wages, holiday increase, and alterations in numerous provisions of the current- award. Mi 1 Collins claimed that the cost of living had increased by 11 points over the last two months, and cited price increases for certain household commodities.

Mr W. J. Mountjoy, for the employers, said that Mr Collins did not quote any of the prices which had been lowered by the releasing of the sales tax. “It is difficult for Mr Collins to' complain about the increased cost of living and then ask the Court to be party to increasing the cost of living by raising wages,” said Mr Mountjoy. Increased wages added to the costs of production and did not assist the economic stability of the country, he said. Decision was reserved.