LIVING COSTS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27072, 22 June 1953, Page 14

LIVING COSTS

P. And T. Association Expresses Concern FEDERATION OF LABOUR’S CLAIMS SUPPORTED (New Zealand Pre.*- Association) WELLINGTON, June 19. Concern at the increasing cost of living as reflected in such essentials as food, power, fuel, and housing is expressed in a statement today by the Post and Telegraph Association. The association says that because of “dissatisfaction and unrest among Mts members” it has decided to “give all possible support to the Federation of Labour’s claim shortly to be lodged with the Court of Arbitration for a general increase in wages.” “In common with other sections of the community, Post Office employees are gravely concerned with the continued rise in the cost of living,” said the statement issued by the general secretary (Mr S. Mather). “The majority of the Post and. Telegraph Department staff are in the lower income group. This emphasises the constant increases in prices (especially for meat, vegetables, groceries, clothing, electric power, gas fuels and other essentials) which have not been accompanied by corresponding increases in wages. The living standards of members have been seriously reduced.

“The last salary increase granted to the service was one based on the Arbitration Court’s general wage pronouncement last year, and this was insufficient to restore the economic position previously enjoyed. The matter has been discussed at many association meetings throughout the Dominion and it is clear that unrest is growing and that considerable apprehension is felt as to the future.

“In addition to meeting other inflated costs, many officers have been compelled to buy or build homes at prices they really cannot afford. Many others have been forced to set aside a substantially greater portion of their wages to meet higher rents. “It is no wonder that in such circumstances members are becoming dissatisfied.

"The national executive has kept in close touch with developments and recently decided to give all possible support to the Federation of Labour in connexion with the claim shortly to be lodged with the Arbitration Court for a general increase in wages. “Executive officers of the association have had consultations with the federation’s leaders, including the president (Mr F. P. Walsh), and after traversing the case to be submitted, expressed agreement with the arguments to be submitted in support. The position is to be reviewed again shortly,” says the statement