Mr O’Shea Accused Of Delaying Wage Hearing

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29844, 9 June 1962, Page 12

Mr O’Shea Accused Of Delaying Wage Hearing

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 8. An application by Mr A. P. O’Shea in the Arbitration Court today for an adjournment of the wage cut case led to sharp exchanges between advocates. Mr O’Shea, appearing for the Sheepowners’ Union, which is applying for a 10 per cent, cut in wages, asked for an adjournment to Monday week to give him time to prepare his reply to the Federation of Labour and the Public Service Association, which are opposing the application.

Opposing the application for an adjournment. Mr F. P Walsh, president of the Federation of Labour, said it was quite unreasonable.

“It is typical of the tactics he has used during this case He is just trying to drag it on and on," he said Mr D. P Long, advocate for the Public Service Association, also opposed the appi.cation for an adjournment Mr O’Shea: They are being g-ossly unfair. I have met their convenience It is not very sporting of them Mr Walsh: You will be believing yourself soon Mr Justice Tyndall: Well. I should be on leave. Mr Long (to bis Honour): Perhaps to solve the matter you could dismiss this application for a decrease Mr P J Luxford. Employers’ Federation: And yours, too After a short adjournment.

Mr Justice Tyndall granted an adjournment to next Friday. This, he said, would give Mr O'Shea time to prepare his reply. His Honour said that today was the twenty-fourth sitting day of the Court. The 1959 general wage increase application had occupied 32 days

“I want to make it known that the Court will be considering the first application for a 10 per cent general wage order increase—pending Mr O’Shea's reply to the reduction application.” said his Honour.

In his submissions Mr Long said that if the Court intended to treat the application for a wage cut seriously, a full and independent inquiry should be made into the incomes of those responsible for the application Mr Long said it would enable all parties to know the degree of hardship being suffered by those making the application

‘lt would also provide valuable additional information by giving us, over this oarticular sample, an indication of the reliability that could be placed upon the returns actually submitted by them.” he said.

“In addition, if details were obtained of a breakdown from gross income, together with full details of additional 'perks’ or benefits not included as income, it would enable us to form some realistic basis for the comparison of individual farm incomes with those of individual wage and salaryearners. Inquiry by Dept. “The proposal to have an independent check of actual wages paid to certain workers was to be arranged with the agreement of all parties to the earlier application, and I hope that, with the agreement of all parties to this application, it will be possible for the Court to ask the Department of Inland Revenue to carry out the investigation and supply details for the information of the Court and the parties without making any individual disclosure of incomes." said Mr Long. Mr O’Shea: That suits me. provided we investigate yours and Mr Walsh’s incomes. Let’s investigate the workers’ incomes Mr Long: There are thousands of workers. The number we want to check is fairly small.