BASIC WAGE BILL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18947, 11 March 1927, Page 12

BASIC WAGE BILL.

ABANDONED IN N.S.W. FAMILY ENDOWMENT INSTEAD. (Si cable—pbbss association—copybight.) (AUSTRALIAN AND S.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) SYDNEY, March 10. In the Legislative Council, the committee stage of th-j Basic Wage Bill was reached. Professor Peden said that he desired to leave the matter of ilxing the wage to the Industrial Commissioner. Instead of empowering and directing the Commissioner to declare a wage, he wished simply to empower him to do so, thus leaving the Act as previously. His motion> in this direction was carried by 36 votes to 31, and the Bill was then read a third time and sent back to the Assembly. Following upon a Cabinet meeting, at which the Industrial Commissioner was' present, members, of the Cabinet met the Labour caucus and discussed, the question of the amendment made by the Legislative Council in the Basic Wage Bill. On Mr Lang's suggestion it was decided not to accept the Council's amendment, but to seek a conference between the Government and the Council leaders with a view, if possible, to arranging for a family endowment scheme to be passed before the session ends. This means that the Government is abandoning the Basic Wage Bill. CONFERENCE TO BE HELD. (81.. CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPIBIOHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.IS. CABLI ASSOCIATION.) • (Keceived March 11th, 1.8 a.m.) SYDNEY,. March 10. , In the Assembly, when the Basic Wage Bill, with the Council's amendment, came up for discussion, Mr Lang moved that the House decline the amendment but appoint a Committee, consisting of five members each from the Government and the Opposition .to confer with Council representatives on the matter of the basic wage and child endowment. He* said he made the suggestion in . a spirit of conciliation : with the object of reaching an amicable conclusion. Mr Bavin divided the House and the proposal was carried by 42 votes to 35. The Council subsequently accepted the proposal and appointed ten representatives for a conference next Tuesday.