NO REDUCTION IN WAGES

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 4 February 1931, Page 6

NO REDUCTION IN WAGES

PATE A HARBOUR BOARD

The question of a proposed reduction in wages in view or the severe economic conditions provoked. 4 a good deal of discussion at the meeting, .yesterday of the Pate a Harbour Hoard and, after full consideration, it was resolved that no reduction in wages be made at the 'present, time. The chairman (Mr. A. T. Christensen) brought up the question and said .t was playing with the. question in a pal’ochiai manner for small bodies to retinae wages aiul salaries while co-work-ers under awards were left alone. They should get a lead from the Covernnient. deductions should follow a react cost of living and that depended on the cost of production being lowered. In his opinion it was not the proper way to tackle the question. Their employees had worked loyally and! well nui a 10 'per cent, reduction, totalling albout £T37 for a year would mean very iittle to the ratepayers. He would not recommend a reduction.

Mr. J. R. Corrigan said there were two sides to the question and lie wondered whether the average person realised the seriousness of the position. They had to get the cost of production and of living reduced and that the principle of equality of sacrifice should rule, in the matter. “Jf we approach the court,” he added, “without any reductions in wages made, what chance have we of getting the court to do anything in the matter of reducing the present awards. Jt does not matter if we are only one. small local body. It is our duty and that qf every local >odv to make a reduction so as to show the court wo appreciate their position. We must all set an example. lie cost of living had already come down, hut had to fall still further.”

The chairman considered that to make reductions created the danger of forcing their employees into getting an award they needed to protect themselves for the future.

Mr. Corrigan said, when the position improved, he would he one of the first to increase wages. He referred to the in.sitution of the standard wage, of 14s and gave the* reason for this. Mr. Hodge agreed with Mr. Corrigan that it would be right to “make a gesture to the Arbitration Court” or the court would he inclined to make no move.

Mr. Pearce agreed with the' chairman that the lead should come from the Government so that al'i should be reduced equally. Mr. Hodge referred to a* suggested conference of capital and labour in Australia so as to get an universal move for reduction and added that a local action would get nowhere. Mr. Corrigan said that award workers were* sheltered and employers* would not get the ouurt to move until they showed themselves in earnest. Air. Watkins referred to a. reduction made by some farmers and accepted by employees and added that someone had to move first. .Local bodies must take a island.

Mr. Corrigan moved and Mr. AVatkins seconded that on account of the crisis an all round reduction of 10 yer cent, be made.

The motion was put and lost by lour votes to three.