REDUCED WAGES SOUGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1930, Page 9

REDUCED WAGES SOUGHT

EMPLOYERS’ REQUEST “SOLUTION OF DEPRESSION” MEETING PRESENT-DAY PBICES. I>OWintS OF ARBITRATION COURT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, September 25. The employers of New Zealand are unanimous that the real solution of the present financial and indudstrial depression is 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, Mr. E. A. Ransom, and the Minister of Labour, Mr. S. G. Smith, by a large deputation representing primary and secondary industries and financial interests of the Dominion to-day. It was contended that wages as fixed by the Arbitration Court did not correspond to 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 find arbitration, but desired that the Arbitration Court should again be given the power it had in 1921 to amend any award by a general order. Mr. Ransom pointed out that the Government had to consider all sections of the community, but he would place the representations before Cabinet. The deputation was headed by Mr. A. C. Mitchell (vice-president of the New Zealand Employers Federation) and the other speakers were Mr. 11. D. Acland (representing the Sheepowners’ Federation), Mr; J. S. Jcssep (Gisborne), Mr. W. Morrison (representing the Farmers’ Union) and Mr. C. G. Wilson (representing freezing companies). Replying, the Minister of Labour said he thought the deputation had made out a very strong case in a very capable manner, but as the matter was entirely one for Cabinet he did not intend to discuss it further than to say he was anxious to give the closest and gravest consideration to anything that was likely to solve the present difficulties.