OPPOSITION TO REMOVAL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27698, 30 June 1955, Page 14

OPPOSITION TO REMOVAL

Labour Federation’s Views SUBMISSIONS TO tribunal (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 29. Opposition to the removal of control from charges for liquor and accommodation by licensed hotels was expressed today by the New Zealand Federation of Labour in submissions to the Price Tribunal. The tribunal is hearing an application by the hotel industry for the removal of price control. Mr P. M. Butler, who appeared for the federation, said the federation regarded the application by the licensed trade as a further threat to New Zealand’s national and economic equilibrium. “We strongly submit that it is unreasonable, unfair, and unjust to remove control from any goods or services while the wage and salaryearners are still subject to various forms of control relating to the remuneration they receive for their services. ’ he said.

Mr Butler had read eight pages of the federations 28-page submissions when the tribunal adjourned till tomorrow morning. “If this application is successful, it •will snowball to such an extent that the consequences will be beyond the ingenuity of any Government department to control,’’ Mr Butler said. Already price control had been removed from too many 'commodities and services without concomitant freedom in the regulation of the rewards for labour. Mr Butler said most goods and services supplied to hotels were subject to price fixation and control. If the present application was granted, how could any subsequent applications by those supplying such goods and services for the removal of control from their soods be refused? As most of these suppliers were supplying articles of major i ipor—nee in the food group, the granting of the application would be merely a preliminary to the entire removal of price fixation and control from these important items, said Mr Butler. He submitted that licensed hotelkeepers had not been badly treated in accommodation charges, but “it appears that the trade is not satisfied with a reasonable share of the cake but. wants to walk away with the eMire cake—silver plate and all.*

” Accommodation Costs The position was such that the average New Zealander and his wife could not afford accommodation in the licensed hotels which gave a reasonable standard of accommodation, arid Mr Buller. The trade was apparently oblivious to its responsi"bility .to_provide reasonable accommo- j dativn at a reasonable cost for the citizen* whose efforts made it possible for. it to carry -on a profitable busmess New Zealanders could De denied 1 ' reasonable accommodation to v hich they were entitled, said Mr Butler, but they were welcome guests ir. congested bars and drinking places. Tt is true that the tribunal has the right to reimpose price control, but such reimposition would be very troublesome and difficult to effect,” Mr Butler said. “It would be extremely difficult to restore order out of the resulting chaos.” , The argument that the removal of price control would have the effect ct attracting tourists was not relevant the mam question, said Mr Butler. ‘The main consideration in deciding < j-stions posed to the tribunal is that effecting our own people, and our economic and social welfare,” he said. The Federation of Labour was not m any way antagonistic to publicans. Mr Butler told the tribunal. “We find that, with a few minor exceptions, those who control the licensed trade treat their workers in a reasonable manner.” he said.