WAGES LEVEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24134, 28 November 1941, Page 8

WAGES LEVEL

application for increase argument for unions Try telegraph —press association] WELLINGTON, Thursday The general position of the national economy was dealt with in the Arbitiatio;i Court this morning when .ligament was continued on behalf of unions applying for a general order for an increase in wages. Fmance arrangements between the Government .and the Re serve Bank, an increase in the .note issue, wartime export arrangemen , and the financial position of the iaim ing community were the main points. Mr \ McLagan, lor the applicants, submitted "that there was no suggestion of inflation, and there need be no Icar of it, if the Court granted a fuiger increase in wages. Generally New /.< a land could fa<o the future with to realisation that, compared » > the average export returns over the !a.t fc "years, \l.e future ™ secureand there was a guarantee of financial St -The y workers of the Dominion have accepted many sacrifices in their endeavour to assist the Dominion's war effort." concluded Mr. McLagan. 1 they are to continue to give of then best it is necessary that they should be protected against the effects of the increased cost of living. Even the official index shows that prices have increased by 5.3 per cent since June, 1910, the date taken into consideration during the previous application. It is clear from consideration of the official index and of relevant facts that the cost cf living has increased by much more than 5.3 per cent. We ask the Court to grant an increase in wages of 7.8 per cent to compensate for tins and to enable wage-earners to continue to do their part in New Zealand's war effort."