WAGES AND BONUSES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9292, 29 April 1920, Page 6

WAGES AND BONUSES

IMPORTANT JUDGMENT,

(Per Press Association.)

GISBORNE, April 27

Mr Justice Stringer delivered an important judgment as president of the Arbitration Court this afternoon. In April, 1919, the Court fixed a basic wage for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.. To this was added a bonus of 2£d per hour to compensate workers for the increased cost of living up to March 81, 1919, and it'was intimated that the bonus would! be adjusted on September 31 and March 31 each year. In December last the' Government Statistician reported that it would be necessary -to increase the bonus by Id per .hour to hourly workers and four shillings a week to weekly workers. This additional bonus was accordingly granted and made payable from January last. The Court, has now received a report from the Statistician in which he he'states that for \\x monthly period ending (March 1920, a further increase of ljjd 1 per hour to hourly workers and six shillings a week to weekly workers is required in order to compensate for the farther increase in the cost of living, including clothing. The Court, therefore, will grant the bonuses recommended' upon applications made from time to time' as opportunity may offer. The bonuses will be made payable as from May 1 next unless good cause is shown to the contrary. The case of juniors will be dealt' with according to merits. In consequence of the general shortage of labour the employers in several industries have, by agreement with the workers, raised the Basic wages above those -fixed by the Court. The Court has therefore determined to increase the basic wages of workers generally as follows: —Skilled workers, 2s per hour; semi-skilled 1. Is 8d to Is lOd; unskilled, Is 7d. To these basic wages will be added a bonus of 3d an hour which is intended to cover the increased cost; of living to March 31, 1920. In making awards after the present date the Court except for special reasons will fix minimum rates in accordance with the above statement. The . overtime rate will be fixed on the basic wage only, exclusive of the bonus.