Pay Freeze Advocated

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31497, 11 October 1967, Page 1

Pay Freeze Advocated

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 10. The Arbitration Court had a responsibility not to take any actions which might counter the effects of measures introduced by Government.

The employers’ advocate, Mr P. J. Luxford, said this at the second and final day of the printers’ dispute at the Arbitration Court today.

The printers are claiming a $3 a week increase in the minimum wage rate and equivalent increases based on skill margins. Mr Luxford said the Court should take into account the effect any wage increases might have on the economy.

He said the Court’s decision on the printer’s dispute would have an effect on the movement of all wages in the new cycle of awards. The employers believed that because of the unfavourable state of the country’s economy the Court should not at present award any further wage increases. “At no time in the 21 years since the end of the last war has there been greater economic need for the country to experience a period without continuous wage escalation,” Mr Luxford said.

“The dual system of wage determination that applies in this country has been responsible for escalating wage rates, and production costs.

“This case cannot be considered by the Court as one which is confined to employers and workers covered by the Printing Trades Award.”

Mr Luxford said already several other important industries involved in new award .proceedings had had them adjourned till after the present case had been decided.