RATES OF PAY

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1945, Page 7

RATES OF PAY

COURT TO MAKE PRONOUNCEMENT. WELLINGTON, February 14. Consequent upon the amendment to the Economic Stabilisation Regulations, the Court of Arbitration, in a statement to-day, indicated its intention to make a pronouncement about-the rates of pay for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers, and to make no further awards or approve of any more, agreements until the pronouncement had been made. The Dominion dispute of woollen mills, which was set down for hearing to-day, was, in the light of this decision, adjourned sine die. It is expected that a date in the first week in March will be fixed by the Court to hear representations about wage rates. Judge Tyndall said that before making any pronouncement, the Court wished to give representatives of Dominion, organisations of employers and workers an opportunity of expressing their views on the general question of rates of wages for skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled labour. The Court desired that such organisations should make arrangements for the appointment of not more than three advocates for each side, and preferably one leading advocate for each side. He gave, as the reason for not makirig any awards between to-day and the date of pronouncement is made, that the Court would have no power to amend such awards, as the special power to amend awards to bring them into line with any new standard rates that might be fixed, was applicable only to awards in force on the date of the commencement of the regulations, February 13. P..A. WELLINGTON, Feb. 14 Mr. Justice Tyndall said it was highly desirable that a fixture should be made at earliest possible moment for the purpose of hearing the views of organisations of employers, and workers. The Court had made fixtures till March 8, but several industrial disputes included in the list should in view of the special circumstances, be adjourned. The Court would endeavour to arrange a fixture for the earliest date which would be acceptable to employers' and workers’ organisations, for the purpose of hearing their views on the question of the rates to be fixed in a new pronouncement. In regard to the Dominion dispute of woollen null workers that was set down for to-day the Court appreciated that it was a very important dispute, and it regretted exceedingly, seeing it was advisable to postpone the hearing of the dispute, the inconvenience that it would cause to so many people who had come for the purpose of the case. “However, we have perused the partial settlement, and we find that a very great number of matters are still in dispute, and in view of the circumstances mentioned in my previous statement, the members of the Court consider this dispute should be referred back to the parties for further consideration, after the wage pronouncement has been made. We feel that, if a wage pronouncement is made there will be the possibility of a greater measure of settlement being reached in this dispute. “I would mention that the new regulations deal with rates of remuneration and rates of remuneration are not limited merely to the nominal rates per hour or per week, but cover such payments as allowances for dirty work and so forth. I thought if was right and proper to mention the special broad definition of the rates of remuneration which is to be found in the original Economic Stabilisation Emergency Regulations. With regard io fixing the date for a wages pronouncement hearing, the Court obviously will have to make adjustments to otherfixtures which have already been set down. Naturally, those people we desire to inconvenience as little as possible. It is only proper for us to give as much notice as possible pt any changes, and so the Court Would be grateful if employers’- and workers’ organisations could settle this matter as early as possible, so that we can make those adjustments. p.na assist other organisations and other representatives of workers and employers who are due to appear m front of us.” concluded Judge lyndall.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. HOSTILE. WELLINGTON, February 14. In a statement issued to-day, tne Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand says; The announcement by, the Prime Minister of the amendment to stabilisation to . enable the ‘Arbitration Court to adjust general disparities in wage levels is very disturbing, although the statement by the Prime Minister emphasises the inflationary dangers involved in the war and the post-war period. There is no doubt whatever that the latest amendment “takes the lid off tne stabilisation”. Previously the Arbitration Court, in dealing with wage adiustments, had to have regard to the overriding consideration of the economic stability of New Zealand. This imperative requirement is now watered down by the authorityi given to the Court to effect a general set-up in w’age levels viewed from the basis of disparities between groups. It is the view of the Chambers that it is highly dangerous to introduce such a wide departure, from the basic principles of stabilisation when the war is not yet won and the imperative reasons for the introduction of stabilisation have by no means disappeared. The Associated Chambeis, the statement continues,, were on record in favour of a review, of wages of lower-paid workers, particularly in the public service, but this by no means implied concurrence with such a general opening of the gates as was made possible by the latest amendment to the regulations. .The general increase in wage levels wmeh might result must have its reflection in increased costs, and that was no help to industry or commerce or to those unfortunate people on fixed incomes.