THE SASIC WAGE

Evening Star, Issue 21622, 18 January 1934, Page 6

THE SASIC WAGE

STABILITY WANTED IN AUSTRALIA INVESTIGATION PROPOSED Chief Judge Dethridge-stated in the Full Court of the Arbitration Court in Melbourne that he thought it was time that something like stability was achieved in the basic wage for, years to come. The basic wage, in actual value, had not been on an equal basis in Australia, and that would be a matter for consideration by the court. -Both employers and employees would find stability in the basic wage beneficial. The Full Court met for a preliminary discussion of the investigation the court is to make in February of the basic wage and of the restoration of the 10 per cent, by which wages were ■ reduced by the court. Mr C. Crofts, for, the Australian Council of Trades Unions, stated that the unions had decided to make a general application for the restoration of the 10 per cent. They would apply as a whole. ' .. ~ .. , Chief Judge Dethridge said that certain anomalies existed in regard to the method of adjustment of the basic wage. Speaking for himself, he was inclined to think that the more appropriate method of adjusting the basic wage was one based on the allitems ” table, rather than the allhouses” table. Assuming that that was so, there would-be discrepancies in the basic wage as between the different States. If the court adopted the allitems ” table it would mean, apparently, that a readjustment of wages between the various capitals would have to be made. That was a matter for consideration. -• He added that now that a general discussion was to take place of what the basic wage should be, it was an opportune moment to rectify anomalies. Perhaps it was an opportune moment for adopting a better system. There might have been too many adjustments in the past, which harassed business people. The matter of adjustments

was one of serious \ importance that should be considered when dealing with the question of rates' generally., _ Judge Beeby expressed the riew that a general review of the ecbnomia position would be of considerable value* During the proceedings in February* he said, some ideas might be put forward for a simple way of arriving aV the basic wage. His view, without committing himself at this stage,, was that it might be advisable in the future to deal with the 10 per cent, from a a individual aspect. \ Mr W. Letcher,' representing the Chamber of Manufacturers: The. first thing to be considered is the ba.sio wage, and the employers would like some guidance as to the way it is to bo presented. Some investigation is desirable, not only on the adjustment or the basic wage but on the detennina'tion of wage. It might go to the whole foundation of the Harvester judgment.Chief Judge Dethridge said he did not have in mind an "investigation into how much food was necessary to maintain a family, and the amount of clothing required. That had been done oni several occasions by competent authorities, and the courts had the benefit of those investigations. " The court, must now consider what was the highest standard of. living it was possible economically to adopt for the purposes of the basic wage. Both employ- 1 ers and employees wou!d_ find stability in the basic wage beneficial.