WAGE REDUCTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 January 1931, Page 7

WAGE REDUCTIONS

MR. SCULLIN’S COMMENT CHALLENGE TO EMPLOYERS [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. Jan. 24, 11.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE,- January 24. Commenting on the judgment of tlie Arbitration Court, Mr Scullin said that reduction in wages below the fall of prices not only reduces the standard of living, but also reduces the purchasing power of the employees. Unless a reduction is- immediately followed by increased employment, the effect will be further to depress trade and industry. The employers had represented to the Court that reduction in wages would increase employment. The onus is now on them to give effect to .their contention. Recovery to normal conditions of trade and employment is expected by manufacturers and employers, as a result of the general reduction by ten per cent, of tl\e rates of twenty-six awards. It is generally agreed, however, that the process will be slow.

FURTHER WAGE CUT. SYDNEY, January 23. Following the ten per cent, reduction in the Federal basic wage, it is now announced that an additional cut “to conform to the variation in the retail price index figures,” will bo made in the wages of employees governed by the majority of Federal awards in capital cities, as follow: — Sydney 3/-, Melbourne 5/-, Brisbane 3/-, Adelaide 5/-, Perth 5/6, Hobart 4/-. STRIKE TALK DISCOUNTED. fit SYDNEY, January 23. The New South Wales Labour Council’s strike talk owing to the reduced basic wage is described by Union officials as being a gigantic bluff. They say that upwards of forty per cent, of the unionists are already unemployed, and that a large number of those in work are already receiving less than the basic wage due to time off and trade slackness. N.S.W. REQUIRES LOAN. SYDNEY, January 23. The New South Wales Labour Caucus to-day instructed Premier Lang to approach the Loan Council for a. grant of a million sterling foi necessitous farmers. , The Labour caucus agreed that the local price of wheat should be fixed at 4/- a bushel, and the resulting margin paid into a fund for tjre assistance of necessitous farmers. N.S.W;. INCREASED TAXATION. SYDNEY, January 24. The Minister of Lands (Mr Tulley) addressing a large unemployed gathering at Goulbourn, predicted an increase in income tax, increased \ fees for land transactions and transfers, and increased death and probate duties. “We are in a drastic position for money,” he said, “and will grab at anything that will give us a chance to relieve unemployment in this State.”