HIGHER SURCHARGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21933, 30 January 1946, Page 3

HIGHER SURCHARGE

WAGE INCREASES PASSED ON TO PUBLIC HARBOUR BOARD'S ACTION (P.A.) DUNEDIN, Jan. 30. To meet the additional costs arising from increases in wages granted to employees, the Otago Harbour Board has received the permission of the Price Tribunal to raise the present surcharge of 5 per cent on dues and charges to 10 per cent. Following the general pronouncement of the Court of Arbitration in March last that the standard minimum rates for adult male workers should be increased by 3icl per hour, said the secretary to tire board, Mr. J. Renton, the rate of wages payable under the New Zealand harbour boards employees’ award were subsequently increased by the Court from April 1, 1945, by amounts varying from 7s Od a wek, in the case of junior workers, to 12s lOd a week for adult male workers working over 40 hours.

“The cost to the Otago Harbour Board was very substantial and, in conjunction with the additional cost of goods and services owing lo similar increases in all industries, represented a total annual increase in its expenditure of over £5G00." the secretary continued. “The board, after carefully examining the position, was reluctantly forced to the conclusion that it had no alternative but to pass on to the users of its facilities an increased surcharge.

“After waiting many months for a decision, which was presumably delayed pending the final decision on the Wellington Harbour Board's application for the approval of an increase of 30 per cent, the board's proposals have now received the approval of the Price Tribunal.”

Mr. Renton added that the increase was to become operative on February