THE DEPRESSION

Southland Times, Issue 21198, 26 September 1930, Page 7

THE DEPRESSION

HOW TO MEET IT REDUCTION OF WAGES FAVOURED VIEWS OF EMPLOYERS (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, September 25. Employers throughout New Zealand arc unanimous that the real solution of the present financial and industrial depression is in a readjustment of wages in order to meet the general fall of prices in the world’s markets, and these views were placed before the acting-prime Minister (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) and the Minister of Labour (the Hon. S. G. Smith) today by a large deputation representing the primary and secondary industries ami financial interests of the Dominion. The deputation was headed by Mr A. C. Mitchell, vice-president of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation and other speakers were Mr Acland, representing the Sheepowners’ Federation, Mr J. S. Jcssep, of Gisborne, Mr W. Morrison, representing the Farmers’ Union, and Mr C. G. Wilson, representing the freezing companies. It was contended that wages as fixed by the Arbitration Court did not correspond to the present day prices for primary products, which were the source of the country’s wealth, and that it was only by a reduction of wages that employers would be able to meet the new situation. The deputation reaffirmed the principle of compulsory conciliation and arbitration, but desired that the Arbitration Court should be again given tlje power it had in 1921 to amend any award by general order. Mr "Ransom replied that the Government had to consider all sections of the community, but he would place their representations before Cabinet. Replying, the Minister-of Labour said he thought that the deputation had made out a very strong case in a very capable manner, but as the matter was entirely for the Cabinet he did not intend to discuss it further than to say that he was anxious to give the closest and gravest consideration to anything that was likely to solve the present difficulties. POPULARIZING 31ARRIAGE ? TAX ON BACHELORS SUGGESTED. FRESH SOURCE OF REVENUE. Auckland, September 25. A tax on bachelors is favoured by the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce which to-day adopted a resolution “that in view of the reduced profits of businesses and a consequent reduction in income tax returns, the Government be urged to give serious consideration to the possibility of widening the field of the income tax by the imposition of this tax on bachelors over the age of 21 years, provision to be made for rebates in cases of hardship.” The mover of the motion said that there were thousands of single men with no obligations earning over £2OO, and they should be bearing sonic of the burden. Another member said that it was evident that in the incoming year the Government would have to find fresh sources of revenue.