The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 2

1H Sydney Morntnn Herald, Tliurs, Hr 17. 1977 2 Breathing space Metal unions Wive Govts oppose Sautomatic to wage adjustments t' From Our Melbourne Correspondent rH The possibility of automatic wage adjustments for the' rest of this were strongly opposed by the Federal Government and most State Governments when the National Wage case resumed in Melbourne yesterday. Cabinet 'yes' to plan log of claims By KEITH MARTIN, Industrial Reporter National metal unions are not expected to I press their claims for big wage increases until the Arbitration Commission announces its decision in the National Wage Case. The wage hearing could end today but the Bench is not expected to announce its decision for. about two weeks.

With the concept of wage indexation apparently in the melting pot, the metal unions, which will meet in Sydney today to endorse a draft log of claims, are not expected to serve it on employers until the Commission's decision is known. The log seeks a $25 a week wage increase for metal tradesmen, $20 for tradesmens' assistants and other benefits. If these would flow to about .600,000 employees in the industry. The claims include a 35- hour working week, payment of the bank levy, an increase in annual leave from four weeks to five weeks, an increase in holiday loading from per cent to 25 per cent, higher penalty rates for overtime, increased sick leave, establishment of child care centres at factories and charter for shop stewards. The secretary of the NSW Metal Trades Federation of Unions, Mr Brown, said last night he did not believe the claims breached indexation guidelines.

He said it was usual for metal unions to seek a new award every year hut they had held off for the past two years because of the economic RAILWAV CVkR. CANBERRA. The Federal Government has decided to allow the United States to build an Omega navigation station in south-east Gippsland, in Victoria. Federal Cabinet is be pedestrian plazas and squares A weekly series In which JOSEPH GLASCOTT describes the of Sydney The President of the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, Sir John Moore, suggested last week that there might be automatic indexation for the next two or three wage quarters while the commission investigated wage-fixing methods. The Governments of NSW, South Australia, Victoria and Western Aus- -tralia, and the Federal Government, all opposed the suggestion.

The Federal Government counsel, Mr T. Morling, QC, said the Government had grave reservations about any system by "which wages are automatically adjusted for movements in the CPI during the inquiry." i the Commonwealth is totally opposed to. any formula' approach under which the total wage, or part thereof, is adjusted automatically on the basis of CPI. "Any wage, adjustment must, in our submission, be considered against the circumstances at the time of adjustment," he said. 1 He said the suitability of the CPI as a mechanism for wage adjustment and the possibility of reversion to a two-element wage system "are matters of very real substance and importance." He said the Government, would support an inquiry into the question of total wage against primary and secondary wage, the appropriateness of indexation as a' basis for wage fixation; any alternative wage-fixing arrangements, the frequency of wage hearings and the CPI.

He made the Government's position clear about a commitment it had made in relation to the Mcdibank levy. The Government was criticised last week by a commissioner, Mr Justice Ludeke, for agreeing to pass on the Mcdibank rise in wages because employers bad a "well reasoned case" for rejecting the agreement. Mr Morling said yesterday that the commitment was that the Govern-, ment Would not argue that the index should be discounted because of the Medibank increase. "The commitment went no further than that and so could not inhibit. the commission from making a decision on all of the submissions before it." The counsel for NSW, Mr M.

Sweeney, said his Government would support any inquiry to find l- a more effective wage fixing system, but added that it had a strong preference for the existing system, by, which the total wage is reviewed quarterly. His Government was strongly opposed to or annual reviews. Reversion to a basic wage and margin system would jeopardise the entire wage indexation system and the NSW Government was opposed to anything that put. that system at risk. The Government regarded wage indexation as the only viable and coherent wages policy and any alternative, for practical purposes, would be no policy at all.

And the Government considered indexation as the only policy that offered a real prospect for significant improvements in industrial relations. The hearing is expected to end today. Editorial Page 6 lieved to have accepted a submission from the Minister for Transport, Mr Nixon, yesterday, urging approval for an agreement under which 1he United States would Surprise tonic for city travellers supervise construction of tne station. The Federal Govern ment will insist that. where possible, it be built Railway.

Square is a gateway lo the city. Road travellers pass through it from the west and tram travellers see it first from Central Station. But until a couple of years ago, the square was one of the seediest, un-tidiest areas of the City. An island in the square housed a service station, a fish and chips shop with pinball machines, and a hamburger stall. Around this unedifying jumble of take-away food counters, noisy buses belched diesel fumes.

The concentration of traffic pouring through Railway Square night and day makes it a difficult case for treatment. 7 However, City' Council landscapcrs have removed the food stalls and service station and have created a simple and pleasant pedestrian precinct where once, there was chaos. Work the precinct was completed at the end of -last, year and flower boxes and the ever faithful plane trees, the architects have developed a small garden court. In the centre of this paved area is the square's centrepiece an historic, cast-iron drinking fountain with, a canopy of iron lace. The fountain is one of four erected in 1860 to mark the supply of water to the city from the old Botany swamps still remaining.

It was dismantled and taken from its site hear the old former wooden tram sheds in July, 1973. Later, it was resurrected from the council stores with the help of the Herald's Column 8, repaired and relocated in the new square. The brick paving of the Railway Square pedestrian court has been carried over to the northern end of the square where the same theme has been used in traffic islands and in a widened section of Quay Street. It's hard to believe, hut the parden court has made Railway Square a welcoming Gateway to Sydney. using local labour.

Control of the station the last in a series of seven bases around the world is to remain totally in Australian hands. It is expected to cost about $15 million and followed regeneration of the square in 1975 with its $2 million pedestrian subway and modern bus station. The centre of Railway Square, overlooked by advertising hoardings and surrounded by noisy buses and cars with an odd train clacking underneath to Darling Harbour, hardly appeals as a restful pedestrian plaza. Nevertheless, with brick walls, could employ up to 300 workers The system will pro vide pinpoint navigational aids to shipping and craft operating in the Indian and Pacific Oceans off Australia and off the Antarctic Specialist's bill for 'disobedience' Ships equipped with NO LINK WITH PARKES DEVELOPMENTS: ASKIN Omega, including submarines, will be able to de termine their positions to Cost of ignoring subpoena could be $10,000 wimin i itm. It is understood that a number of Australian service aircraft, including helicopters, are to be fitted with the Omega system to improve their an answer in the Legislative Assembly yesterday to parts of Mr Mallam's question.

Mr Mallam had asked: "Was Sir Paul knighthood- 'by t6ratakiiir navigation and enable them to operate more accurately at night. result of his default. He would take no' other action against the doctor because the costs "not insubstantial." Dr Fine said afterwards (that he would appeal against the judge's ruling, because he 'Considered it too harshj bis office had been notified last October but the message had been 'taken by a temporary secretary. He said he had been served with the subpoena on Friday but had not understood the full impli- cation. "Let's write it off as a A Macquarie Street specialist said yesterday be was astonished when told he had to pay all the costs because of his failure to appear in court as a witness on Monday.

-rf! 'r Dr Ronald. Fine, a neurologist, said he stood to lose between. $5,000 and $10,000 because he had not complied with a subpoena. But he said he could not run his practice if he had to comply with every subpoena he received. Mr Justice.

Yeldham said in the Supreme Court yesterday. that "considerable costs were I New air service ference, see a patient and do a few other things. He said he received many subpoenas, but many the pro- ession did regard seriously. "It wOuld.be impossible to conduct one's- profes- sional life in accordance with these rules," Dr Fine said. The judge said all courts would take steps to ensure compliance with subpoenas and punish severely if necessary any wilful disobedience.

He said Df Fine had thrown away" because of Dr Fine's "high-handed disobedience to this order. give -serious consideration on Monday for. the issuing of a warrant for Dr' and having him brought back to Sydney in custody." He said he called the doctor before him yesterday to explain his apparent disobedience and jack of courtesy. Dr Fine told Mr Justice Yeldham he had gone to Melbourne on Saturday to attend a con been told he would be needed to give evidence on behalf of his own patient as early as October 1976. -without word to the 'parties or.

their solicitors he had arranged go to Melbourne for a conference. Mr Justice Yeldham said Dr Fine was served urgently with another subpoena last Friday, but he chose deliberately to ignore it and was in Melbourne on Monday. The judge said that three parties and their witnesses, one who had come from Toowoomba and another from Kurrajpng, had attended court on Monday With 'their solicitors and -r In addition there were 12 jurymen, four of whom -would 'be selected to try: the Because Dr Fine was a' material witness and had not attended he had had to discharge the jury and adjourn the case to a date to be fixed. He ordered Dr Fine to pay all costs incurred by the parties to the proceedings adjourned as a HONG KONG -Wednesday. Air Nuig-i, ini, the national flag car i Tier of Papua New Guinea, will inaugurate a 1 1 direct weekly service Sir Robert Askin said yesterday he had no connection with the failed property developer Parkes Developments.

Sir, Robert, NSW Premier from 1965 to 1975 was commenting on a question asked in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday by Mr H. C. Mallam (Lab, Camp-belltown). As part of a long question about Parkes Developments, Mr Mai- lam had asked whether Sir Robert had been accompanied by "associates" of Parkes Developments oh an overseas trip. Sir Robert said yesterday in a statement issued through Lady Askin: "I have nothing whatsoever to do with Parkes.

"I have retired from politics and have no wish to become involved with them again, I have nothing more to say." The NSW Attorney-General, Mr Walker gave fund had advanced Parkes $6 million as a first mortgagee on building projects. In answer to the question whether Sir Paul Robert- Rjiko, Johns had "used money, i' frdmi Parkes Developments for in family Mr Walker said: "Parkes Developments Pty Ltd is a private company controlled SO per cent by Mr Robert Ryko and 50 per cent by Finance Facilities Pty "This latter, company is controlled- by- Sir Paul Strasser, Mr John Boyer and to. ai. lessen interest by Sir Paul's sister and brother-in-law, resident in "As Parkes Developments is an exempt proprietary company, with shares not being held by a public company, there is no restriction imposed by the Companies Act to loans to associated companies." between Port Moresbv j- and Hong Kong on Apnl complete oversight on my 17 3, part, ne said. iu me outiaing inausiry and did these services in- -elude obtaining huge sums of money from the' NSW Slate Superannuation Fund for investment in the Police headquarters and Caga House." Mr Walker replied: "Yes.

The knighthood was for services to the building industry. The ci- -tation also goes on to say it was for the role he played in the mineral and oil exploration- field, no-. tably through Bridge Oil Ltd and Aurora Minerals NL." He said the further question about money from the superannuation fund was outside his portfolio. However, it had been reported earlier that the The Oce 1700 makes fast, clean copL -fe. ma Royal program The royal visit program in Melbourne today is: is available for new homes Upper House reform From page 1 inexpensively.

Can your copier do as much? am: The Queen and Prince Philip leave for tne Koyal Women The State Government for the Legislative Council about six months later, which has released $6.5 million for new homes. The Minister for Con would bring it to within a few months of the 10.45 am: Leave for Royal Park. 10.50 am: Arrive and attend an assembly of schoolchildren. 11.15 am: Leave for sumer. Affairs and Co next election for the operative Societies, Mr Lower House.

Zoological Gardens. It is known that Mr 12.05 pm: Leave for Einfeld, said yesterday the money, for terminating building societies, my Wran is not keen on hav "life! Government House. 3 pm: Leave for Melbourne Cricket Ground. ing to face the voters three times In such a would provide 310 new homes and guarantee the short There' will probabW be 3.10 Arrive and attend final day's play of the Centenary Test. 4.35 pm: Arrive on jobs of 445 building -workers for at least three some pressure to have the elections for Upper Mr Einfeld said $5 board Her.

Majesty yacht Britannia. ana Lower Mouses Are your present copying costs excessive? Too many spoilt copies? Is your office elf Iciency suffering because of copier downtime? If so, now is the time to switch to an Oce 1 700 plain paper copier. And save. Here's how the 1700 can- -help. With the 1700 you get crisp, clean copies-copy -after copy.

Day after day. The Oc6 1700 rarely has to take time out for servicing. It copies on all your normal office paper. And you know In advance how much each copy will cost Call Oc6 or mail coupon. We'll show you how quality saves.

The 1700 is made by Oc5-respected here and abroad In the reprographics field. million had come from 5 pm: The Duke of Edinburgh presents gold the revolving fund into which terminating building loan repayments were awaras. 5.20 pm: Arrive and at It is also known that Mr Wran and the Deputy Premier, Mr Ferguson, have expressed concern that if the Upper House is elected there will be made. The additional $1,5 tend State Reception at the National Gallery by the Victorian Government. 11.15 pm: Britannia million was a special al pressure to hold joint location by tne uovern-ment.

1 sails for Htn.3gp caucus meetings. CITROEN CX 2200 FOR ALL KINDS OF ROADS AROUND THE Ocd is sensible copying. WORLD Oc6 Copying Equipment Pty. Ltd. A Membtr Company of Bit OeMroiby Limited Group.

Victoria: NSW: 91 Queens Bridge Street, 53 Whiting Street, South Melbourne 3205. Attention 2064. Phone 020671 Phone 439S811 Car off the year features This J. Farren-Price digital watch features crisp, masculine styling In stainless steel. Robust, yet Incredibly accurate, it has five functions and constantly visible liquid crystal display.

With integral stainless steel bracelet, $195. I would Ilka details bout the Oce 1700 A demonstration A free analysis of my ftrm'e copying neede. 'rv. Rally proven hydro pneumatic sutjension, 1 --i-' luxurlouaaerodynamlcatyllng. Demonstrations evallabl day or night.

New saloons Immediate deUwsrv, teat drive SPECIAL OFFER General Manager's personal CX Super JCT 316. Blue with blue velour upholstery, air-conditioned, 'radio cassette, 4,000 kilometres. A superb touring car. PhoM new MMamMm tudamng tut eW vuce My ST. JAMES CENTRE CASTLEREAGH ST.

231 32Q7 Title: CITROEN CARS (CITCO) PTY, and the J. Farren Price salons at Grace Bros Broadway, Parramatta. Bondi, Chatswood, Roselands, Miranda, Warrlngah Mall, Top Ryde, Liverpool and MtDrultL 296 PenemMta Read. Broadway, Olebe. 680 5711 A.H.484453 JPPQ11.