MINIMUM WAGEBILL “TO LITTLE TOO LATE,” SAYS OPPOSITION

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 August 1950, Page 5

MINIMUM WAGEBILL “TO LITTLE TOO LATE,” SAYS OPPOSITION

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Last Night (PA).—The Opposition would not oppose the Bill, although it had certain criticisms to make about it, said Mr. McLagan (Opp., Riccarton) in the House of Representatives tills afternoon after the Minister of Labour (Mr Sullivan) moved the second reading of the Minimum Wage Amendment Bill. The measure gives effect to the recent interim general wage order of the Court of Arbitration. The minimum weekly wage for men is given in the Bill as £6 Ils 8d and for women £4 Bs. These rates are to operate from September 1, 1950. Mr. McLagan said the Bill conferred too little too late. The Government's policy of "making the pound go” had necessitated an increase in wages, despite previous statements by its Ministers that they objected to the vicious sniral of wages chasing costs. He criticised the increase in th e cost, of living since the Government took office, and said that recent increases in the cost of various commodities was greater than at any other similar period. Mr. Sheat (Govt.. Patea) said that the cost of commodities to people over recent months, even weeks, was the result of unnecessary stoppages. He suggested that the member for Riccarton could do a service to the country if. as a former industrial Labour leader, he used his influence to prevent such stoppage. Mr. Harker (Govt.. Hawke’s Bay) said that If ever a Bill to increase the wages of those not subject to awards had been damned by faint praise bv a n Opposition, this was it. The Bill should have received generous support from all parts of the House. At one time, while Mr. Harker was speaking, Mr. McCombs (Opp.. Lyttelton) drew attention to the state of the of the House. There were 14 Government members in their nlaces. but only Mr. Nash and Mr. McCombs on the Opnosition benches. A quorum for the House is 20 members, and the bells were rung to summon more members back to their seats before the debate resumed Mr. Hudson (Opp., Mornington) said that while not opnosing the Bill, he himself wished to protest at '“the miserable pittance” given- those on a minimum wage. Had there been a proposal to double or treble the increase he would have voted for It. It was in line with the miserable increase given age beneficiaries and the miserable amount awarded by the Armbitration Court. The latter reference was withdrawn at Mr. Speaker’s request, as derogatory to the Arbitration Court.