Support for F.O.L. talks

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32430, 17 October 1970, Page 3

Support for F.O.L. talks

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Oct.- 16. New possibilities for discussion on ways to break out of the inflationary spiral were opened up in the statement yesterday by the president of the Federation of Labour (Mr T. E. Skinner), said the president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation (Mr L. H. Stevens) and the immediate past president (Mr 3. S. Osborne) in a joint statement today. “In reply to Mr Osborne’s presidential address, Mr Skinner suggested that if manufacturers agreed to restrain prices the Federation of Labour would give favourable consideration to stabilising wages,” said the statement. “This is a constructive proposition. All sections of the community are in-

volved, but to the extent that our organisations could contribute to a solution, Mr Skinner’s new proposition could be a basis of discussion between the F.O.L. and the Manufacturers’ Federation with the aim of reaching agreement which could avoid Govern-ment-imposed direct controls. “The first essential step is to restore relativity between different sections in the wage structure, which must be done by agreement between the employer organisations and the trade unions which are affected. “While that is being achieved, the Manufacturers’ Federation would like to open discussions with the F.O.L. on the broader issues. Our federation will initiate action in that direction,” the statement said.