RESTORATION OF WAGE CUTS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 284, 28 August 1934, Page 10

RESTORATION OF WAGE CUTS

Attitude of Government

POSITION OF PRIVATE EMPLOYERS

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Christchurch, August 27.

Although it is not the Government’s intention to appeal to private employers to follow its lead in restoring portion of the cut made in wages, "ie Prime Minister, the Kt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, stated to-night that he considered it the duty of every empl.oyer, where an improvement of conditions was undeniable, to follow that lead He added a tribute to the integrity and fairness of New Zealand employers, and said that he was confident that without resort to any form of compulsion they would extend the benefits to employees where improved economic conditions justified them.

Speaking of the Government’s action in restoring the 5 per cent, cut'to its employees, Mr. Forbes said that it,had given him great pleasure. He recalled that he had always stated publicly that if economic conditions showed sufficient improvement he would be the first to advocate the restoration of any cuts where justified. He also recalled that in 1922, when Mr. Massey was Prime Minister, a cut was made in the salaries of/civil servants and it had never been restored. He hoped that the Government’s action through this year’s Budget would be appreciated and that a further improvement in the financial position tfonld be noticed.

Mr. Forbes said he did not see any need for reintroduction of the provision making it compulsory for the employers to go before the Arbitration Court. His contention was that the action of private employers should be dictated by the ability of their particular branches of industry, to meet added charges in the form of wages. If the added burden was justified by improvement in trade then it was clearly the employers’ duty to make restorations.- He was pleased to note that throughout the country in recent months many organisations of various types had made restorations when they were obviously justified.

RETURNED SOLDIERS DISAPPOINTED

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Christchurch, August 27.

The executive of the Christchurch Returned Soldi.ers’ Association carried the following motion to-night: “That this executive expresses disappointment that in the cuts restored by the recent Budget no reference is made to economic and dependants’ pensions of former service men, and requests headquarters to make strong recommendations to the Government to have these restored.