Restoration of Wages Cuts

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 212, 5 September 1934, Page 7

Restoration of Wages Cuts

GOVERNMENT WILL NOT FORCE PRIVATE FIRMS. NO AMENDMENT TO THE PRESENT ACT Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. In a definite statement that it is not intended by the Government to amend the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act in order to give unions the right to approach the Arbitration Court for a. general order of increase in wages, was made to-day by the Hou. G. W. Forbes, Prime Minister. “I have already expressed the view that, it is the duty of those firms in a position to do so, to increase wages,” said Mr Forbes, and “I notice one firm lias already moved. No doubt others will follow. At, the same, time there are many private firms not yet in a position to improve wages and to compel them to do so by a. general order of the Court would me most unfair. The Government has no intention of doing that. Mr Forbes announced to-day that the time for the Dairy Commission’s report has been extended till the end of the present month. Christchurch Leads Again EMPLOYERS GOME FORWARD WITH PAY INCREASES Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. An almost general increase'of 5 per cent, in wages was offered by the employers’ assessors in the Conciliation Council proceedings to-day in North Canterbury timber yards, sawmills and coalyards employees’ dispute. An agreement was reached on all points except two, and these will be considered by the employers before the final proceedings on September 13. The employees of Bunting and Co., Ltd., brush manufacturers, have had restored to them another portion of the 10 per cent, wages cut in April, when 21 per cent, was restored retrospective for one year. At the end of last week another 24 per cent, was restored.