THE WAGES QUESTION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 125, 23 November 1923, Page 8

THE WAGES QUESTION

INCREASE IN MINIMUM RATE

2£ 5* BEPREBENTATIONS TO-.THE

COURT.

■>;■ !A. further endeavour is to b« made fey th» Wellington Trades and Labour Council to make special representations ib the Arbitration Court for an increase « the minimum wage standard of £3

|6s Id per week laid down by the

iQourt for unskilled labour. .£ Some weeks before the lastpronounceiaent of the Court upon the effect on wages of movements in the cbst-of-living index figures, application was made by ♦he council for an opportunity to reopen the matter of rent sta«stics and present to' the Court evidence in .regard to rents actually paid. The Court,; Roweyer, did not think it was reaonable $6 reopen the matter, nor did it consider any useful purpose could be ierved, in view of the information aljfeuly in ite possession. * The Trades and Labour Council still maintains that wages are too low and incompatible with the cost of living, and that principally on account of the rentals ruling wages should be reviewed. The question was discussed at a meeting of the council last,, evening, and it was decidi §}, if possible, to make a further appeal te the Arbitration Court. "We do not propose iio let the matter rest at the' point reachied by the Court's recent Refusal to grant a hearing," declared the chairman (Mr. J. Read) 'this morning. "Seeing that the Building and General Eaboureres' Union is moving shortly for a new award, the Trades Council pro?pbses to act in conjunction with them in emphasising the demand for higher wages. We understand the union is quite agreeable to this course, and a delegate:-will, be appointed to' state the case for;an .increase in the minimum Wage- when the dispute is before the Court." Mr. Eead added that the projkisal was made, of course, on the assumption 'that the General Labourers' dispute was. not settled at the Conciliation Council sitting. It is probable that Air. Bead himself will be appointed to act as the, council's delegate. r-.The Builders' and General Labourers'

dispute will come before the Conciliation Commisioners on Monday next, and the ptext sitting of • the Aribtration Court

in Wellington will take place at the end of-this month. It is understood, however,,/that, the Court's list is alfgady full, in which case the General jjabourers' dispute, if it is referred to the Court, will be stood over until after Christmas. The powers of the Arbitration Court to vary the wage standard according to the movements in the cost-

of-living index figures expire on 31st December, so that it will be unable after fhat date to vary the ruling rates on the efcore of a rise or fall in the food, clothing, and rent groups.