A BASIC WAGE

Evening Post, Issue 60, 11 March 1936, Page 12

A BASIC WAGE

MINISTER'S PROPOSAL

I.C. AND "A. AMENDMENT

MANDATORY PROVISIONS

40-HOUR WEEK FOR ALL

Provision for the establishing of a basic wage for adult male and adult female workers is an important feature of the ■amendment to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act which has been prepared by the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong). In making this announcement in an interview today, the Minister said that the figure had not been fixed, but it would be compatible with the 15s a clay basis to be adopted on public works. The particular clause in the Bill dealing with, this question stipulates that the Arbitration Court shall, within three months of the passing of the Bill, fix a basic wage for adult male workers and similarly for adult female workers, taking into account such matters as general economic conditions and the cost of living. ;In the case of an adult male worker the wage.will be such as to enable him to maintain a wife and two.children at a standard of comfort to which it is considered they are entitled. In order that the position may be adjusted equitably from lime to time, the Court will be required to review the whole position every six months in the light of existing economic conditions and other relevant. factors. In New South Wales, it is interesting to note, the basic wage for adult male Workers is assessed on a responsibility of a wife and one child. . THE 40 HOUR WEEK. Another mandatory provision in the Bill, said Mr. Armstrong, was that the Arbitration Court must, within three months of the passing of the Bill, declare a 40-hour week for workers covered by existing awards. While in other parts of the world the 40-hour week has been adopted in particular industries, this is. believed to be the first time that, it will be introduced on a national basis. The Minister explained that employers would have the right to go to the Court and seek exemption from this provision, but the onus would be on them to prove that the adoption of a 40-hour week would be inimical to the interests of the

particular, class of business in which they were engaged. He agreed, that ' there were many classes where the operation of the shorter working week would be impracticable, but in cases like that there was no reason why the benefit should not be passed on to the workers concerned in the form of additional annual holidays.