Employers doubt depth of findings

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32774, 26 November 1971, Page 1

Employers doubt depth of findings

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, November 25.

The Commission on equal pay had not fully grasped the far-reaching economic implications of introducing equal pay, the director of research and information services for the Employers’ Federation (Mr R. E, Taylor) said tonight.

"We think the commission underestimates the costs involved and has not appreciated the effects these would have on New Zealand’s economy,” he said. “Because of this, and the inevitably inflationary results of implementing equal pay, the Employers’ Federation still believes that it would be most unwise to proceed in the present economic climate.”

Mr Taylor appeared before the commission on behalf of the federation. “Most of the findings are

predictable,” Mr Taylor said, “but the commission appears from its report to have taken a rather over-simplified approach on some very important issues. It is disappointing that some of the major problems have not been given more substantial treatment

“For example, the defini-

tion of equal pay recommended by the commission is far too simple. Every other country considering equal pay has found it necessary to have a far more detailed and substantial definition to avoid numerous problems. Report, Page 2.)