WAGE RISE CLAIM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 28 November 1941, Page 4

WAGE RISE CLAIM

WORKERS’ CONTENTIONS HIGHER LIVING COSTS (Per Presß Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Further argument was heard in the Arbitration Court yesterday in the ■ application for an increase in wages to cover the higher cost of living. The application is by the New Zealand Engine Drivers. River Engineers, .Marine Engine Drivers, Greasers. Firemen and Assistants’ Union. Mr. A. McLagan, president of the Federation of Labour, is conducting the case for the applicants, and Mr. W. J. Mountjoy, secretary of the Wellington Employers’ Association, is acting for the New Zealand Employers’ Federation. The workers of the Dominion have accepted many sacrifices in thenendeavour to make the maximum war effort, concluded Mr. McLagen. “That they have done their part is clearly proved by the production figures. The rising cost of living, in comparison with the fixed rates of wages, • represents, however, a burden which menaces the continued maintenance of their rate of production. If they are to continue to give of their best, it is necessary that they should be protected against the effects of the increased cost of living.

“Even the official index shows that prices have increased by 5.3 per cent, since June, 1940, the date taken into consideration during the previous application. It is clear from a consideration of the official index and of the relevant facts that the cost of living has increased by much more than 5.3 per cent. We, therefore, ask the court to take this into consideration, to remember that the relevant position of wage earners has been worsened since the previous application to this court and to grant an increase in wages of 7.8 per cent, to compensate for this and to enable wage earners to continue to do their part in maintaining New Zealand’s war effort.