BASIC WAGE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 83, 4 October 1929, Page 15

BASIC WAGE

LABOUR COUNCIL'S, PROTEST

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DXJNEDIN, 3rd October. At the monthly meeting of the Otago Labour Council to-night considerable criticism was levelled at the Arbitration Court's pronouncement when it was stated that the Court had repudiated the basis which it had formerly adopted, namely, that "a family""for tho purpose of wages fixation meant a man, his wife, and two children.

After a long discussion the following resolutions were passed:— "That this council views with grave concern the ease with which the Court of Arbitration, in order to further the interests of employerdom as opposed to those of the workers, has repudiated the foundation of basic wage fixation on which it has worked -for many years. The Court has thus shown itself to be partial, inconsistent, and arbitrary, and we strongly recommend the National Council of the New Zealand Alliance of Labour to request the Government to require the Court of Arbitration to state clearly and definitely upon what principles or basis it has created the present inadequate basic wage." ,

That in view of^ the recent pronouncement of the Court of Arbitration on the basic wage, this, council is of. the opinion that the time.is ripe'for tho workers to realise that the only basis" on which their wages and conditions can be improved and-maintained is by organising along- more definite indusunfo^T 11 *$?>** lines, and that all unions be called upon to urge the dethe whole working class, with a view basiHf'"if • b6tter C°ndiiions ™ tta oasis or their economic strength." "