Trades Council Adopts Report On Stabilisation

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 March 1947, Page 3

Trades Council Adopts Report On Stabilisation

At the meeting of the West Coast Trades Council on Saturday last the National Councillor for the West Coast, (Mr T. Pratt), outlined the economic stabilisation proposals of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. The proposals call for stricter and more extensive control of prices through a reconstituted price-control administration within which the trade union movement and the consumers would be adequately represented; a review of the subsidies now being paid to industry with a view to easing the financial burden on the country, and the abolition of the “cost plus” system used to maintain in existence inefficient units of industry: the operation of price-control to divert labour and raw materials from the production of luxury goods to the production of essential commodities now in short supply; for steps to be taken to end the present evasions of the provisions of the Land Sales Act; worker-participation in the managment of industry witn the object of increasing production by means of greater efficiency through improved working conditions and the elimination of waste; an increase in wages of £1 per week to meet the present level of prices. Prior to reaching agreement on these proposals the National Council of the Federation of Labour had held a lengthy consultation with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, and the Minister of Labotlr, to ascertain the views of the Government on stabilisation. The Trades Council adopted the report. Trades Council Notes

After hearing a report from its representative at the public meeting held to consider the form of the Greymouth War Memorial, the Trades Council endorsed the decision arrived at by the meeting. The president and secretary wilt represent the Tra’des Council when the Honourable Minister of Works presents the Government’s 10-year plan for the Westland and Buller regions on March 19th at GAiymoutn. Mr James Meikle, has been appointed delegate to the Trade Council by the Ptoa Mineworkers’ Union. Mr Meikle replaces the late Mr J. Feilding. The Westland Gold Dredge Workers Union and the Westland Painters’ Union have affiliated with the New Zealand Federation of Labour, white the Westland Branch of the Carpenters and Joiners’ Union will affiliate to the Federation through its national union. The three organisations are entitled to appoint representatives to the local Trades Council. The National Council of the Federation of Labour has requested the Government to refuse to permit the settlement in the Dominion of any members of General Ander’s Polish Army.