COST OF LIVING BONUS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 281, 25 November 1921, Page 7

COST OF LIVING BONUS.

ACT EXPIRES IN JANUARY. RENEWAL BILL NECESSARY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) OHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. An impending problem concerning the cost-of-living bonus was discussed in the Arbitration Court to-day. The matter was brought up by Mr. F. Cooper, employers' representative, who eaid the employers were quite willing to continue giving the current rate of wages and bonus. The trouble, however, was that the coet-of-living bonus was provided for under the War Legislation Act, 1918, which now had only a dhort life, and not the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. _ The President of the Court, Mr. Justice Frazer, said it was an important point for consideration. The War Legislation Act would cease to exist on January 10 next. Unless Parliament paeeed legislation to meet the situation, the position would be that in industries ■where awards terminated on January 11 the workers would not get the boniw after that date, while for industries where new awards were made just before that date the w6rkers would be assured of their cost-of-living bonus for the period of their respective award;. the terms of -which were usually two yeare. Consequently, while some workers would receive only a flat rate of wages award under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, others would be enjoying the cost-of-livin" bonus provided for by the War Legislation Act for any β-eriod up to t»o years after. There was, however little need for doubt that legielation would be passed to meet the position. Provision for the bonus i e contained in C^l ° f v tbe War Ac .t, and while the following clause allowed for the Court of Arbitration reviewing increasing, or continuing the bonus the Court w,ll not be able to take any such eteps after the Act ceases to exist