COST OF LIVING

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1940, Page 8

COST OF LIVING

HIGHER AV AGES PROPOSAL [per press association.] AUCKLAND, May 6. An important announcement on the bearing of the cost of living on wage rates in the Dominion is expected to be made this week by the Minister for Labour (Mr. Webb). A statement to this effect was made-to-day by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser). It was reported last week that, arising out of the application by the Federation of Labour to the Court of Arbitration for a fixture for hearing a general case for wage increases; in which the Court would' be asked to make an order for an immediate' and simultaneous increase in all award wages to meet the increased cost of living, a conference between employers and manufacturers’- representatives and the federation was held in Wellington. The decision of the conference was that representation be made to the Government to introduce legislation empowering the Court to amend the. wage provisions- of awards, taking into consideration' the cost , of living aiid economic circumstances generally, such amendments to be reviewed at not less- than six monthly periods. When this report was submitted to jth'e Prime Minister on his- arrival at iAuckland he indicated that a Ministerial statement would be issued this Week by Mr. Webb. AU' CKLAN D TRAMWAYS. AUCKLAND, May. 6. The decision of the-special tribunal set up by the Minister for Labour under tlie Strike and Lock-out Emergency Regulations, to grant a cost of living bonus of 8 per cent, to sections of tramway employees was discussed -by the Auckland Transport Board in committee. After the meeting the following statement was made by the chairman of the board (Mr. W. H. Nagle) on behalf of the board: “The decision of the tribunal involves an annual increase of costs estimated to be approximately £30,000. We are determined to explore every possible means for the bearing of the burden, without haying recourse to a possible increase of the existing fares. We invite th,e- full co-operation of the .public, by their use of- the tramway system, which, I might remind them, is their own, and we operate on their behalf, to help the board to maintain its financial stability, and thus prevent any possible need of fare revision. The whole matter will have the fullest consideration in the preparation of the year’s estimates.” .