Wage Increases On Phosphate Islands

Press, Volume C, Issue 29508, 9 May 1961, Page 16

Wage Increases On Phosphate Islands

(Neu> Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 8.

Wage increases of more than 23 per cent, are being given to phosphate workers on Ocean Island and Nauru Island.

The British Phosphate Commission plans to start a fljm. house programme for the workers and will also make a weekly child allowance of 10s for workers’ children.

These concessions, the outcome of negotiations between representatives of the Commission and the workers, were announced today by Mr R. B. Tennent, the New Zealand Commissioner for the British Phosphate Commission. Mr Tennent returned to Auckland today after leading the negotiations on behalf of the commission. Never at any time were there any disorders on the islands, he said. On Ocean Island the demands of the workers mostly related to such domestic as better accommodation and food. There was no demand for increased salaries. “Good Spirit” “Negotiations were conducted in a very good spirit.” said Mr Tennent. The Commissioner first met the 680 workers, told them it was not possible to talk with so many people and asked them to pick two representatives from each of the 23 islands that supplied recruits for the phosphate workings. With the addition of the elders among the islanders, the workers’ committee comprised 60 men. The rest of the labour force went back to work while Mr Tennent negotiated with the committee. "I took five days explaining and listening to grievances,” he said. “We cleared up a lot of misconceptions. Later we met the whole of the people, told them about the discussions and asked for general acceptance. There was unanimous

approval, they were highly gratified at the concessions.

Mr Tennent said that • lot of the workers’ complaints were justified. The islanders’ housing was getting old and there was a need for replacement. Mr Tennent was able to show the islanders models of new houses the Commission planned to build and he announced that a £ljm scheme would start immediately.

On Nauru, where the workers had struck in sympathy with Ocean Island labourers, the demands for settlement included a considerable wage increase. Mr Tennent was able to offer an increase of more than 23 per cent, for workers on both islands.

“We also rocked them by offering a child allowance of 10s a week for all children, the money to be paid to the mothers,” said Mr Tennent. “They were tickled pink. They had never seen anything like that before.” With the new wage scale. Mr Tennent said workers In the medium group would receive between £23 and £2B 10s a month. The old rates were from £2O to £25 a month.

The workers received a bonus and overtime payments. free housing, rations and hospital treatment, also free lighting and cinema entertainment. There was also a trading store concession.

No coercion or force was used, nor was there any suggestion that there would be,” said Mr Tennent. “Proceedings with the islanders were conducted in an entirely democratic manner and mutual agreement was reached right throughout. They are very happy and we are very happy. These people are very important to New Zealand and Australia and we must move with the times.”

Mr Tennent said he was satisfied there would be no more trouble in the islands for “a very, very Jong time, if ever.”