STABILISATION PLAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 64, 18 March 1943, Page 4

STABILISATION PLAN

IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS ANNOUNCED (P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., March 17. Several important amendments to the Economic Stablisation Emergency Regulations have been gazetted tonight. Commenting on the amendments, the Minister in Charge of Stabilisation. the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said they embody alterations and provisions to meet change-over difficulties whicn have suggested themselves after three months’ practical experience of economic stabilisation.

For instance, said Mr. Sullivan, the original regulations were drafted to give the Supreme Court jurisdiction in all rent cases and the Magistrate's Court jurisdiction in all cases where the rent is not in excess of £520 per annum. Under the new regulations the lower Court will have jurisdiction up to £525, or in any other cases if the parties agree, thus covering rentals of £lO a week. Again, under the original regulations, Conciliation Commissioners were given the task of determining the basic rates of remuneration in doubtful cases. The new regulations substitute the term "wages commissioners” for Conciliation Commissioners, and this means that the Minister can appoint Conciliation Commissioners as wages commissioners or can appoint other persons specially qualified for this work. The Director of Stabilisation is enabled, without time limit, to appeal against decisions of the wages commissioners. thus providing a safeguard against decisions not in conformity with the general stabilisation plan. Under the new regulations the Arbitration Court is required not to make any apprenticeship order which varies the conditions of employment or increases rates of remuneration otherwise than to remove anomalies. A provision is contained to fix road passenger fares, exercising this power in conformity with the stabilisation plan.

Proceedings in respect of certain Industrial disputes and employers’ arrangements for schemes of classification or contracts of service which were under negotiation on December 15 will now be allowed to go forward, but the Arbitration Court, which has jurisdiction in such cases, will be required to deal with these applications in the light of the general policy of stabilisation.

Mr. Sullivan added that stabilisation was the very core of the Government’s wartime economic policy. Our retail prices index in December showed an increase of only 13.4 per cent, over August, 1939, compared with 29 per cent, in Britain. 20.1 per cent. !n Australia, 20 per cent. In South Africa, and 17.6 per cent, in Canada. The Government had successfully protected the purchasing power of the New Zealand pound, said Mr. Sullivan, and would continue to do so.