WAGE REDUCTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20890, 4 June 1931, Page 12

WAGE REDUCTION.

Sir, —Tho president of the Arbitration Court, Mr. Justice Frazer, in a memorandum accompanying a general order for a 10 per cent, reduction, says: '' I am convinced that it is economically impossible to maintain money wages at their present levels." In defiance of the economic position tho C'hristchurch City Council decided ori Monday to restore the 10 per cent, reduction on wages and salaries of employees, and to return to the rate of 15s 4d a day for unemployment relief work. Further, they decided that the increased remuneration should bo retrospective, so I suppose tho employees will now receive, not only tho old rate of pay, but also a cheque for whatever difference has been paid them since the reductions came into operation. This is tho direct result of having a majority of the council Labour members, and a sample of what we may expect wherever Labour predominates. "No reduction in wages and not one minuto longer working time" though the heavens fall! Mr. Holland is already preaching—as Mr. Lang did in Now South Wales—send my party to Parliament and we will restore the cuts first, thing we do. If such a calamity were to happen Australia's financial plight to-day would be New Zealand's also. 231, Parnell Road. J. Thohnes.