WHARF DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 February 1947, Page 2

WHARF DISPUTE

MINISTERS MEET UNION NO COMMENT ON PROGRESS OF CONFERENCE FURTHER TALKS TO-DAY WELLINGTON, February 12. “It’s a lovely day to-morrow,” was the only comment made by Mr. T. Hill, national secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union, when asked by a reporter if he had anything to say about the conference which he and members of the national executive of his union had with Cabinet Ministers this afternoon and to-night. The meeting was held at the suggestion of the Minister of Labour (Mr. A. McLagan) to discuss with the waterside workers’ (representatives their four demands for better wages and conditions. It lasted three hours in the afternoon and nearly two hours to-night. Mr. McLagan later said that it would be continued to-morrow afternoon, and that he might then be able to make a statement about it. Mr. D. G. Sullivan, as Minister in charge of Stabilisation, was to have attended the meeting, but was prevented by bad weather from flying back from Gisborne, and his place at the meeting was taken by the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr, C. F. Skinner). Meanwhile, trade unionists in Wellington are interested in the date of the hearing of the application by the Federation of Labour for a general order increasing wages. The Court of Arbitration is now in the South Island, but it is expected that it will expedite the hearing of the federation’s claim, and make a fixture for it to be heard in Wellington, possibly next month, even if it means postponing other cases on the list. „ ~ There has been no hint of the amount which the federation will seek. HIGHER WAGES: AIM OF RAILWAY WORKERS WELLINGTON, February 11. A greater share of the national income for workers is the aim of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Workers, according to a report on stabilisation presented at the society’s biennial conference to-day hy a special committee. Adopting the report, the conference claimed that a wage increase was “definitely justified.” The society’s stabilisation committee reported that it was .of opinion that some form of stabilisation was necessary in the interests of the economic stability of the country, and for the protection and welfare ot workers generally. Events had proved that stabilisation as operated had many defects, and in many cases operated to the detriment of workers. Statistics compiled by various authorities had shown that the incomes of workers were insufficient to meet price levels when the scheme was instituted, and that the income of workers had grown worse while the profits and reserves of the owners of industries and companies had increased. “Definitely Justified.” A general wage increase was definitely justified to meet the increased prices now prevailing, it was addect. The conference considered that a stabilisation conference representing all sections of the community should be called at the earliest possible date. As a basis of discussion at the conference, it was suggested that a central planning body should be set up by the

Government, with adequate workers representatives appointed after consultation with unions. The functions of this body would be to plan production in the national interest. A similar planned production was achieved in time of war with a measure of success, and it was even more essential in the post-war period, the society believed, that the fixation of prices, costs, and wages should be approached from a new angle similar to that operating in the dairy industry. ■ It was suggested that the cost ol production should be fixed at the cost, incurred in the average modern, industry, and an allowance made for a fixed margin of profit. Wages should then be allocated, and a selling price arrived at, and, as an incentive to increased production, the added value should be shared fairly between employee and employer. “Should Keep Pace.” The wages of workers in non-pro-ducing capacities should keep pace with those in other industries. In effect, if the national income was increased, all workers should share m the increase, with a corresponding increase to State beneficiaries such as pensioners. “To ensure full co-operation and maximum efficiency in industr/, we strongly urge that workers should have a share in the control and management,” said the conference. “It will be obvious that the proposed plan necessitates various subsidiary committees, such as a Price Tribunal, and we feel that ft is imperative that full workers’ representation should be. given thereon’ and, further, that much heavier penalties .should be imposed for breaches of price orders.”