WAGE RESTORATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 September 1934, Page 2

WAGE RESTORATION

APPLICATION TO COURT. (PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. September 3. An amendment of I lie Arbitration Act to allow the Arbitration Court to make a general order increasing wages was asked for in a motion at the annual meeting to-night of the Christchurch branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. The following motion was carried. “That this Union ask the National Association to take immediate steps to request the Government to amend the Industria Conciliation and Arbitration Act to permit of application being made to the Arbitration Court for the restoration of the cut in wages imposed bv the General Order of May 29, 1931.” Hon. T. Bloodworth, who was present at the meeting, said that there was a movement in Auckland and Wellington for a similar request. He believed that if it were gone on with the request would receive favourable consideration. The motion was carried.

MR. FORBES’S REFUSAL. WELLINGTON, September 4. A definite statement that it is not the intention of the Government to amend the I. C. and A. Act, in order to give the unions the right to approach the Arbitration Court for a general order to increase wages, was made today by the Prime Minister. “I have already expressed the view that it is tho duty of those firms in a position to do so, to increase wages,” said Mr. Forbes. “I notice one firm has already moved. No doubt others will follow. At the same time there are many private firms not yet in a position to improve wages, and to compel them to do so by a general order of tho Court would be most unfair. The Government has no intention of doing that.” MAKING A START. CHRISTCHURCH, September 3. In response to the appeal of the Prime Minister that private employers should, if conditions of business warranted, restore at least a part of the wages cut, Aulsebrook and Co., Ltd., restored 21 per cent, of their wages cut as from to-day. The decision affects 400 employees, and the firm makes the statement, that, if trading conditions continue to improve, further restorations will be macle.