ABILITY OF INDUSTRY TO PAY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 237, 4 July 1938, Page 8

ABILITY OF INDUSTRY TO PAY

Consideration By Court MANUFACTURERS DESIRE GOVERNMENT ACTION "It is sincerely hoped that there will be a reply in the affirmative to the question by Mr. S. G. Holland, M.P., to the Minister of Labour as to whether the Government will introdiice legislation during the present session to direct the Court of Arbitration to take into consideration the question or industries being unable to pay the rate of wages provided for in awards, says a statement issued by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation. ‘‘There have been many promises of assistance to manufacturing industry, and action upon the lines referred to would go a very long way toward bringing the Government, and the country as a ■whole, to a realisation of the deplorable situation into which manufacturing industries iu Now Zealand have been brought through cost increases ■being thrust upon them with complete disregard of their ability to bear the burden. . „ "In the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill, Mr. Barclay, tlie member for Marsden, admitted that the chairman of the Bank of New Zealand had pointed out that over-large importations had been the principal cause of the decline in London funds. Mr. Nash stated that lie was prepared to admit that the margin of exports over imports was not sufficient at present. If it is not sufficient at present it will certainly be much less sufficient in the very near future unless the Government is prepared to take action to safeguard New Zealand industry. The large amount of unemployment funds being collected under the wage tax will be very much smaller than last year, and the demands made upon the fund through unemployment in industry will be very much greater. In addition to shortening of staffs, the amount of short time being worked is a serious menace to the welfare of the country.