REGULATING WAGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 97, 26 April 1922, Page 8

REGULATING WAGES.

: REDUCTION OF BONUS. I I ~■"■"■■"■ ARGUED BEFORE COURT. ,'j EMPLOYERS SEEK REDUCTION* OF ',] THIRTEEN SHILLINGS. ! I 1 j (By Telegraph. — rre*s Association.) \ WELLINGTON, tnis day. The pronouncement of the Arbitration ; Court to-day. Mr Justice Fraser said as f bonus under legislation of last session, I was discussed by representatives of | ; j employees and employers before the j i Court to-day. Mr. Justice Fraer said as >I it «as understood the employers were ■ seeking n further reduction of wages, . i the onu- of proof was on them to | Mr. W. T. Young asked for the cx- [ elusion of seamen in the general order . and special treatment, as the union had I never applied for a bonus and had never' . i received one. Mr. W. G. Smith said the seamen's I ■ I award-was registered under the Court. ( p The Court promised consideration. .} Mr. Roberts urged that the case of j [ I the casual employment of watersiders! i I also needed special treatment. , 1 The President of the Court said that ,! the question might be considered of] I making a new award. It was open to i I both sides to apply. Special treatment i was also asked for in the boot trade. I and frr carpenters. ; Mr. T. 0. Bishop, employers represen- | tative, urged that it was mandatory for I the Court to consider the economic and , ! financial conditions affecting trade and I industry as well as the cost of living. . He submitted that the lowered income lof the country and the readjustment in ! other countries rendered it impossible to carry on New Zealand industries at the present rate of wages, and presented i reports from different centres showing shrinkage in employment and industry. The remedy was reduced wages, lessening the cost of production and the price j of the article. New Zealand was nowliving beyond its income, trying to maintain b high standard of living, and holding the wage level above what industries can support. Public works undertaken at the present high oost of waces and material would never be reproductive and nlways a hurden on the taxxpayer. For example, 'he Government ; workers 1 dwelling*- The Arbitration Court, like a suraeon. was operating on the sick boflv of New Zealand industry. Any atterpnt to adiust wazes and the I root of livins regardless of output had failed overvwhere. The ostimnted increase of family comings durinc the war. r«rinil w>s l<lo per cent ntrainst 00 per) : cent rise in the cost of living. Savings j bnnk riemisit* had tripled since 15>11. j jand showed rvroswritv. The Court's ' i order for a reduction of ?■> a week was absolutely inadenuatp. The emnloyers soueht a r<*li:<*tion of 130 a. week, covering the whole bonus araTited. , _