PRICES AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17603, 31 July 1925, Page 12

PRICES AND WAGES.

LABOUR ASKS COMMISSION. “ ARBITRATION COURT MATTER.” WELLINGTON, July 30. Replying to a deputation from the Alliance of Labour, which requested the Government to set ui» a commission to inquire into questions of prices and wages generally, and submitted a largo volume of evidence collected in connection with the subject, the Prime Minister said that personally he was of opinion that if a commission were sefc up it would nullity tho effect of the Arbitration Court: Any suggestion of the kind should come from tho Court itself, and tbo Government contended that the Court was the proper authority to make recommendations in regard to tho cost of living and tho basic wage, and that any such recommendations should bo then considered by tho Government. The figures submitted by Mr J. Roberts and the representations generally would bo referred to tho Court, and tho Government would give fcareful consideration to tho whole question, If the Court, felt that n commission would be advantageous then the matter would bo gone into by the Government. Do you think there should he n commission ?’* asked Mr Jordon (Manakau). “Never mind about that-. Sir Jordan, ’* replied Mr Coates. “ J am telling you •what I propose to do. T cannot help it if I do not please. ” Mr W. T. Younnr asked whether the Government would favourably consider th© evidence. Mr Coates: Oh. exactly! You want , to get the whole lot. “ If the Court will not make recommendations what is tho Government going to do?” asked Mr Roberts. “The Court will not say its determinations are wrong.” Mr Coates: T think vmi must leave that, gentlemen. T will ask you to come along again after what, I Tiave said has been carried out. T will be pleased to discuss it with yon further. Mr W. T. Young protested on behalf of organised labour against their nonrepresentation at the Geneva Conference, and urged that representation should bo given in future. Sir Francis Bell said that the Treaty of Versailles required each member—and New Zealand was a member —if it made any appointment to nominate four delegates, two representing the Government, the third representing the employers and the fourth representing labour. New Zealand would, therefore, bo obliged to send four delegates, one of whom would be a representative r.F labour. Tho Government on each occasion had said it was not willing to incur the great expense of sending four representatives from this distant country to Geneva, involving long absence and considerable expenditure, and that it was content to bo represented by the nominees of his Majesty's Government of Great Britain. On that delegation there wero men who had the entire confidence of labour. Sir Francis added that he was speaking for the Government of the past, and that he was not referring to the attitude that might I>e adopted in future. Replying to a point raised by Mr Young, Sir Francis Bell said that he interpreted the treaty as meaning that the Government must send four delegates as representing the Dominion if it sent any. Mr IV Fraser. M.P.. asked whether it would not be possible for the Govfrom tho High Commissioner’s office. Sir Francis Bell replied that that had be*?n considered, but they could not bo nt to tho Labour Conference, which sat at the same time as the Gene.M 1 Assembly of the League of Nc tioiis. _____