THE LOWER PAID WORKER

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1931, Page 9

THE LOWER PAID WORKER

INFLUENCE OF WAGES CUT ALLIANCE OF LABOUR PROTESTS. PRIME MINISTER STANDS FIRM. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A deputation representing the Alliance of Labour waited upon the Prime Minister to-day to protest against any reduction ih wages, especially those of lower paid rneii. It was claimed that reduction in the case of men on the lower scale would place an unjust and inequitable burden on their shoulders. The secretary of the alliance, Mr. J. Roberts, said the Government’s recent declaration had come as a bombshell. The Arbitration Court, it might be taken for granted, would follow the lead which had been given by the Government. If that was so there would be many workers who would be unable to meet their obligations in respect of rent and interest, and that would mean the Government would suffer. It was all very well to say the cost of living would come down, but rents, insurance and interest would not come down.

There had been some talk of equality o.' sacrifice, but the worker who lost 8s a week Would suffer more than the higher paid men. It would simply mean he and his family would have tp go with less food. The workers were being made the, victims of banking and financial institutions. Mr. Roberts said he had been told at Home the people there were going to demand that New Zealand should agree to a lower standard of living; but the workers of this country were going to resist any such action. “We elect our own Governments here,” said Mr. Roberts, “and we will not be dictated to by any financial institution. The workers have not been consulted, and the only thing left for us to do is to call representatives of the workers together. We are meeting in conference on March 10. Although I $m not making a threat, in my opinion no union secretary can db anything else but advise his men not to accept reductions. If the workers do accept reductions they will simply be telling the people of New Zealand they ate willing to accept a lower standard of living?’ "* v

TWO SIDES TO EVERY QUESTION.

Mr. Forbes said he realised that the workers' regarded any reduction of wages as a serious matter, but there were two sides to every question. In the first place, he desired to say. definitely there was no dictation from money-lenders or from any outside country. The simplb position was that the country’s accounts had been placed before him as Minister of Finance and he had to decide what steps, should be taken. He had. found, himself up against the solid economic fact that the income of the 'Dominion had been reduced by £20,000,000, and it was absurd to say. iii view of that that the country could carry on in the same ■ way,He could not understand the deputation'saying his announcement had come as a bombshell, for the workers must have seen that a reduction would have .to ;be brought ’about' sooner or later. “We are suffering from an economic crash,” said Mr. Forbes, “and we are faced with the absolute necessity of taking certain- measures, however unpleasafit they niay be, to counter that criish.”

The workers apparently did not consider there would be a reduction in the cost of living, bfit he believed a reduction in wages would be reflected by a drop in the cost of living. Mr. Roberts: That was npt the 'case in 1021.

Mr. Forbes; The Bljirhp of 1921 was nothing compared with tile present depression. We all know the position of the shcepfarmers to-day. 'I believe this country can’t, stand up to the wages it has been paying in the past, ; You must know high wages mean unemployment.

A voice: Question? Mr. Forbes; A man can only employ a certain number of'men under present conditions. I have stated what believe to be necessary’ in the interests of the country, and it is for Parliament to say whether my proposals shall be adopted. ' Mr. Roberts: You have put forward some excellent propaganda.

Mr. Forbes:. The Government is in a minority. If I was looking at the position from a political point of 'view fio you think I would have ■ made such proposals’ So far as the wages of the workers are concerned, that is a matter for the Arbitration Court and I have no right to suggest anything to the Court. “I regret you have seen fit to take Up such an attitude, because I believe my programme will be in the best interests of the workers in the long run. However, tho matter is for Parliament ■to decide.” Mr. Roberts' I hope they don’t adopt your programme. Mr. Forbes: That is for Parliament to say. RAILWAY MEN’S OBJECTION. WANGANUI WORKSHOP MEETING Wanganui, Last Night. At a mass meeting of East Town railway workshop employees to-day the following resolution was carried unanimously: “This mass meeting of railwaymen enters an emphatic protest at the expressed intention of the Prime Minister of extracting from the pay roll of the State employees a sum out of all proportion to their total income; we further draw attention to the • fact that ih our own opinion the chief burden should have been imposed on the wealthy taxpayers of the Dominion. STRONG DISSATISFACTION. GRADUATED SCALE PROPOSED. Palmerston North, February 20. A meeting of the Manawatu section of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association passed a resolution expressing strong dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister’s proposed salary cut, also expressing the opinion that, if a reduction is made, it should be on a graduated scale.