WAGE INCREASE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 191, 15 August 1940, Page 6

WAGE INCREASE

MAY COVER FARM WORKERS CABINET TO CONSIDER [ Per Press Association, j CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 14. The extension of the 5 per cent, wage increase to cover farm workers as well as those employed under awards, will receive the consideration of Cabinet. The Minister of Labour, Hon. P. Webb, said this evening that Cabinet was going fully into the position but in the meantime the increase applied only to those working under awards. He had an opinion on the matter himself, but he could not express it just yet. VIGOROUS PROTEST HOSPITAL BOARD COSTS. AUCKLAND, Aug. 14. Strong protest at the 5 per cent, increase in award wages was made by the chairman, Mr. Allan J. Moody, at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board on Monday evening. He said it would mean an extra annual cost of £7OOO to the board, and the burden on the ratepayers would be higher than ever. The increase was totally unjustified, and it meant passing on the war contribution of Is in the £ to the employers. Dr. J. P. Hastings said that wages always lagged behind the cost of living, which had increased very much of late. The money would be all spent. Farmers’ Position. Mr. G. T. Parvin said that the farmers would not get any more for their butter, and they could not pass it on. Young people were now getting wage's undreamed of in other days, and every year the country was getting closer to bankruptcy. If the Government wanted to help Britain it should tell every man to take off his coat and do his bit. Mr. J. V. Macky said that one section of the community had been penalised for a privileged few, and it was class distinction of the highest order. The Government was absolutely insincere, and every right-thinking person should protest. Mr. E. H. Potter pointed out that a certain number of the board’s employees would get the increase, but the nurses would not, and that was most unfair. Mr. Moody said that if the Government "put a gun at their heads” they would have to pay, but they had sufficient intelligence to protest against a gross wrong to the community. Mr. W. K. Howitt said that the announcement was a bombshell. The discussion closed without a motion being presented. MANAWATU COUNTY VIEWS. (Own Correspondent.) SAN DON, Aug. 13. Referring to the question of the recent increase of 5 per cent, in the wages of all awards, cne chairman oi the Manawatu County Council, Mr W. E. Barber, speaking at to-day’s meeting, pointed out that the increase to the council this year would amount to over £6OO.

Cr. Boyce remarked that the same charges would have to be footed by the Palmerston North Hospital Boaro and the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board, which meant that the farmers would be loaded with further charges for rates. He pointed out that last

year the farmers had been asked by the Hon. Walter Nash to accept the guaranted price offered for dairy produce in an endeavour to stabilise costs and the result is a further increase in costs. Where is it going to end? asked Cr. Boyce.

The council has instructed the engineer to bring down a report to the next meeting with a view to economising in some way.