Bonus To Come

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1950, Page 5

Bonus To Come

“Removal of subsidies will inevitably result in some increase in living costs. The Government will immediately draw the attention of the Court of Arbitration to the removal of subisidies so that this factor can be taken into account and a cost of

living bonus declared to compensate for the higher costs. The Federation of Labour has already lodged claims for a general wage increase and it is considered by the Government only fair and proper to make this announcement now in order that its effect can be considered by the Court in a pending hearing. All other wage and salary-fixing authorities will be invited to do likewise.

SOCIAL SECURITY “Social Security monetary benefits will be increased and special provision will be made for those thrifty peoples whose small incomes are derived from their own resources. “The Government appeals to all employers to follow the lead of the Arbitration Court in dealing with employees who operate outside awards of the court,” said Mr. Holland. The Government itself will give a lead in this matter in dealing with its employees as has happened in the case of previous general wage increases. Primary producers will receive higher payouts to compensate them for increased costs of production.” Mr. Holland summarised the Government’s decision as follows:

BUTTER: The price will be 2s a lb. as from Monday. Traders holding stocks of butter for resale are to declare stocks to the Marketing Department and to refund 6d a lb. on all stocks held at the week-end. The rationing of butter will be cancelled as from June 4, and this will entirely eliminate the rationing of foods in this country.

“TEA: The price is to be increased from Monday by Is 9d a lb. Traders are to declare stocks to the Marketing Department and to refund Is 9d a lb. on all stocks held. Circulars of instructions and forms for declaring stocks of tea and butter will be available early next week at all rationing offices. “BREAD: The price of bread will rise 2d a loaf as from Monday. This means a standard 21b. loaf will now sell cash over the counter for 7*d instead of 5 id. “FLOUR: Wholesale and retail traders have been authorised to increase existing prices for flour by the following amounts: 501 b. bags, 5s lOd; 251 b. bags, 3s lid; 12ilb. bags, Is Sid; smaller amounts at a rate of lid. per lb. increase.

“EGGS: Egg prices will be increased by 4d per dozen in both the North and South Islands. Chilled egg prices will not be altered. The subsidy paid to the poultry industry will be reduced by 4d a dozen immediately.

“COAL: The coal subsidy has been cancelled and new prices have been established for all coal prices, ex mine, and authorities to sell at these new prices will be in the hands of the owners on Monday. Prices for coal sold ex depots will be increased accordingly as soon as the existing stocks are sold. Gas companies should also apply for price adjustments to cover the Increased coal costs to be effective when existing stocks of coal are used. MILK 8(1 ALL YEAR ROUND. MILK: The price is to be 8d per quart ail the year round. This change will be delayed for two weeks to allow vendors time to arrange for distribution and sale of new tokens. “RAILWAYS: A new railway tariff will operate as from May 15. There will be some increase in suburban fares, where increases were not taken on the last adjustment of railway charges. Freight schedules have been increased by varying amounts. The Minister of Railways will make a fuller statement on these matters early next week. “WOOI. SUBSIDY: This subsidy will be withdrawn as at. the close of this current, wool auction season. Mr. Holland continued: “Excluding the wool subsidy will not have any effect on retail prices for this year.