WAGES CUT URGED

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 227, 25 September 1930, Page 10

WAGES CUT URGED

EMPLOYERS' REQUEST.

"SOLUTION OF DEPRESSION." MR, RANSOM NON-COMMITTAL CONSIDERATION BY CABINET. (By Telegraph,—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The employers of New Zealand are unanimous that the real solution of the. present financial and industrial depression is to be found in a readjustment of wages, in order to meet the general fall of prices in the world's markets, and these views were placed before the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, and the Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith, by a large deputation representing the primary and secondary industries and financial interests of the Dominion to-day. It was contended that wages fixed by the Arbitration Court do not correspond to present-day prices for primary products, which are the source of the country's wealth, and that it is only by a reduction of wages that employers will be able to meet the new situation. The deputation reaffirmed the principle of compulsory conciliation and arbitration, but desired that the Arbitration Court should again be given the power it 'had in 1921 to amend any award by a general order. Mr. Ransom pointed out that the Government had to consider all sections of the community, but said he would place the representations before Cabinet. The deputation was headed by Mr. A. C. Mitchell, vice-president of the New" Zealand Employers' Federation, and other speakers were Mr. H. D. Acland, representing tie Shipowners' Federation; Mr. J. S. Jessep, of-Gisborne; Mr. W. Morri? son, representing the Farmers' Union; and Mr. C. G. Wilson, representing the freezing companies. In replying the Minister of Labour said-he thought the deputation had made ■out a very strong case in a very capable manjier, but aS ! the matter was entirely one.for Cabinet .he did not intend to discuss it, further then to say he was anxious to give the closest and gravest' consideration.to ahything that waa likely to solve the \present .-difficulties.