Five Per Cent Wages Increase

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 214, 7 September 1934, Page 6

Five Per Cent Wages Increase

SOUTHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL’S AC" ' Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Last Night. The Southland County Council has increased by 5 per cenl. tho salaries and wages of all its employees. The. council’s staff had previously suffered two 10 per cent. cuts.

Deputation to Premier RESTORATION OF WAGE LEVEL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 0. A request that 1 Jio workers should be given the right- to approach the Arbitration Court ami state their case for a general order .for an increase in the award rates of pay was made to the Premier to-day by a. deputation from the New Zealand Trades and Labour Council’s Federation. In support of the request it was pointed out that there was an improved economic situation nnd the Government had increased the civil servants- wages by 5 per cent. It was claimed that the workers should now have a right similar to that which was accorded in 1931 to employers who applied to the Court for a general order to reduce wages. Replying, Et. Hon. 0. W. Forbes said it would be premature at the present time to give authority to apply for a general order. He considered that employers who were in a position to do so should allow their workers to participate in their profits. If there was no response to the Government's request in that respect he would be willing to discuss the matter with the trade unions again. The Finance and Labour Ministers were associated with Mr. Forbes at the deputation, whose speakers were the president and secretary of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council.