Farmers seek low guideline

Press, 19 September 1985, Page 2

Farmers seek low guideline

PA Wellington Farming leaders have called on the Government to either issue a low guideline figure for wage rises or abolish compulsory union membership. The president of Federated Farmers, Mr Peter Elworthy, has criticised the Government for not setting a wage guideline and said its attempts to cut inflation and unemployment were doomed unless wage rises in the present round were kept low. “The ridiculously high claims by some unions and the weakness of some employerscould spell disaster

for the economy,” said Mr Elworthy. “The unions are prepared to adopt strong tactics based on their monopoly powers and compulsory membership. “Equally, too many employers enjoy a Government sanction to simply pass on to the long-suffering consumers soft wage settlements in higher prices,” Mr Elworthy said. If the Government was not prepared to issue a guideline it should immediately abolish trade union monopolies and open business up to internal and international competition, he said.