WAGE FIXATION

Grey River Argus, 19 December 1940, Page 6

WAGE FIXATION

CANADIAN ORDER. (Received December 18, 9 p.m.) I OTTAWA., December 17. The Canadian Minister of Labour, Mr. McLarty, has announced a virtual standstill order in respect of the basic wage rate, with cost of living bonuses substituted for wages increases during the war. The orderr declares workers are entitled to the basic wage rates, equalling, the average of 1926-9 with the addition of cost of living costs since the war, and subject to review quarterly, and alterable whenever a five per cent, fluctuation occurred. No prevailing wage rate which is higher than the 1926/9 base, plus cost of living bonus, is to be lowered. As the result of | the order Mr. McLarty said this wage j control policy was adopted in order j to prevent any upward spiralling of/ wages, ending in uncontrollable infla-I tion. By laying down a definite basis | it was hoped to ward off labour disputes, since the parties woiild know in advance what they can expect. I