WAGES INCREASES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27387, 12 May 1950, Page 4

WAGES INCREASES

Federation Meets Prime Minister GENERAL ORDER SOUGHT PA WELLINGTON. May 11. Authority for the Court of Arbitration to make interim general orders on the application of any union or association to meet fluctuations in prices of goods and services is sought by the Federation of Labour. Its representations were heard today by the Prime Minister, Mr Holland, the Minister of Labour, Mr Sullivan, the Minister of Justice, Mr Webb, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Bowden. The deputation also sought further amendments to the Economic Stabilisation Emergency Regulations to enable the Court of Arbitration to make any general order retrospective to the date at which the increases .in the prices of goods and services come into force.

It also asked that any general order apply to the actual wage rate received by a worker covered by any award or industrial agreement. The reinstatement of the regulation which required the court to restore and preserve the rates of remuneration of other workers or classes of workers, whether fixed by award, apprenticeship , order, industrial agreement or otherwise, was also sought by the deputation. The spokesman for the deputation, which submitted a statement of their case to the Prime Minister and his Ministerial colleagues, stated that the deputation represented 220,000 workers and their families. They referred to the Prime Minister’s statement that the Government would draw the attention of the Court of Arbitration to the removal of subsidies so that this factor could be taken into account and a cost-of-livng bonus declared to compensate for higher costs. The deputation claimed that the court could not take cognisance of public pronouncements, and must be guided by law. The deputation asked that the regulations be amended to allow the court to make an immediate general order retrospective to at least May 8 and that it also be empowered to issue amending orders on the application of an industrial union or association without restriction of time. It was stated that fair play, equity, and justice dictated that this amendment be made so that the rights of the workers would be safeguarded. The deputation comprised the following members' of the National Executive of the Federation of Labour: Messrs A. W. Croskery (president), K. McL. Baxter (secretary), P. M. Butler, W. A. Fox, L. A. Hadley, and H. J. Thompson