WAGES CUT.

Evening Star, Issue 20959, 25 November 1931, Page 6

WAGES CUT.

TO 111 HDITOM. Sir, —The attention of all workers and salaried men and women, both in the Civil Service and outside, is drawn to two significant statements in yesterday's Press from different sources, both of which clearly indicate that if a Coalition Government is returned there will probably be a 25 per cent, reduction in wages and salaries in the Civil Service, and at the least a 10 per cent, reduction next year, with others to follow', to all other workers. Mr E. Howard, Labour M.P., Christchurch, challenged the evening papers to wire to Mr Forbes and Mr Coates and obtain an answer to the simple question:—“ Will • you guarantee that there will be no further cut in wages next year if the Coalition wins?” Needless to say, Mr Forbes did not give the guarantee asked for. Ho gave the following evasive answer:—“ I may say tho question has not been considered in any way by the Government, and it is hardly necessary for me to state that we earnestly hope that no sacrifices in connection with salaries, wages, or pensions in tho future will have to be asked of the people.” There will, however, bo a cut, as, unfortunately for tho Coalition candidates, Mr A. 0. Heany, organising secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, Welington, has been too hasty and indiscreet in nis utterances. He has publicly stated in the Dunedin Press that the Associated Chambers of Commerce are going to demand a 25 per cent: cut reduction in Government expenditure, also that social services be cut' out. The Associated Chamber of Commerce is one of the masters who dictate the policy for Coalition. Mr A. 0. Heaney has rather embarrassed the Coalition Government by letting ■this information out of the bag also. As Mr Heany naively put it:—“lt was enabled to point out to the Government aspects of proposed legislation innocently overlooked.” Mr Heany continues to tell us through the columns of the Press that the association bad a finger in the liailway Bill, adjustments in the Customs, banking, immigration, as well as in Government expenditure, appropriations, unemployment, etc. The policy of the Coalition is framed by the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Ho has been so elated with present triumphs aver a weak Prime Minister and weaker Cabinet and Government that he has their policy for next session ready for them. That policy_ i=, as stated, a 25 per cent, reduction in Government expenditure, which means a cessation of numerous social and humanitarian services which have been placed at tho disposal of the people after years of fighting. Tho small shopkeeper and business man are going under, as well as the worker and salaried man, if the wages reductions hinted at by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and not denied by Mr Forbes, are enforced if Coalition is returned. Shopkeepers and business men already knew the effects on business as a result of the recent wages reductions. If not prepared to consider the distressing effect of wages reductions on the workers of the community the effect further cuts will have on their own business should make it clear to all shopkeepers that the Coalition Government will bring disaster to many of them. The hundreds of empty shops in Dunedin at present are the result of business lost through the effect of the last cut in all workers and salaried men and women, and of thousands thrown out of work hy the mismanagement of Deform and United Governments.—l am, etc., Progress. November 25.

[We leave this argument of _ the supreme influence of the Associated Chambers over the Government to be dealt with by those other Labour propagandists, who contend as seriously that it is entirely ruled by a year-old monthly newspaper, the ‘ Financial Times,’ or by the Welfare League.— Ed. E.S.]