Employers’ Attitude To Wage Increases

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1940, Page 9

Employers’ Attitude To Wage Increases

[Per Press Association. Copynght.l WELLINGTON, This Day. The attitude of the Employers’ and Manufacturers’ Federations to any increase in wages on .account of the increased cost of living was explained yesterday by Mr W. E. Anderson, secretary of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation. Referring to remarks made by Mr James Bcgg at the Otago Provincial Council of the Farmers’ Union, Mr Anderson said the correct position was that a conference was held between representatives of the Federation of Labour and the Employers’ Federation, at which representatives of the Manufacturers’ Federation were present to watch the interests of their members. It was unanimously agreed to ask the Government to introduce legislation empowering the Arbitration Court to amend the wages provision of awards and industrial agreements at intervals of not less than six months, the court in making such orders to have regard to general economic conditions affecting trade and industry in New Zealand, the cost of living, and any fluctuation in the cost of living since the last order, if any, was made. The legislation was to be a temporary measure for the duration of the war and six months thereafter. It would be seen that neither the Employers’ Federation nor the Manufacturers’ Federation had agreed to any increase in wages to cover the cost of living increases, and when the Arbitration Court w.as given power to deal with applications for such increases it was open to employers, if they so desired, to oppose them.