WAGE-RESTORATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 September 1934, Page 6

WAGE-RESTORATION

LABOUR REQUEST DECLINED. [PKB PBKBS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, September 6. A request that workers should be given the right to approach the Arbitration Court and state a case for a general order for an increase in award rates of pay was made to the Government to-day, by a deputation from the New Zealand Trades and Labour Council’s Federation. In support of the request, it was pointed out that there was an improved economic situation and the Government had increased the civil servants’ wages by 5 per cent. It was claimed that workers should now have the right similar to that which was accorded in 1931 to the employers who applied to the Court for a .general order. Replying, Mr Forbes said it would be premature at the present time to give authority to workers to apply for a general order. He considered that employers who were in a position to do' so should allow the workers' to participate in their profits. If there were no response to the Government’s request in that respect, he would be willing to discuss the matter with the trade unions again. The Finance and Labour Ministers were associated with Mr Forbes at the deputation, whose speakers were the President and Secretary of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council.