ARBITRATION COURT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume L, Issue 7972, 29 April 1922, Page 3

ARBITRATION COURT

(Per Press AusociaUon./

Wellington, April 27

At the Arbitration Court to-day, Mr Frazer, S.M., said ho wished to clear up an understanding in regard to the Court’s pronouncement at Wanganui. The pronouncement was not a tentative proposal that wages should bo reduced by 5/4 per week. The Court’s statement was purely a statistical oue and not in any sense a statement of whether, or to what extent, wages should be reduced. The employers’ evidence was continued. Wellington, April 28. The Arbitration Court continued the discussion of the proposed wages reduction. Mr McCombs completed his statement on behalf of the workers. He apposed redaction. The food groups prices in New Zealand were fixed by export values, the cost of labour not exercising much effect upon them. He pointed out that these prices were on the up grade. Wages followed a long and lengthy distance behind prices, and. until the gap between wages and prices was removed wages should not come down. The prices of imported artiles were practically unaffected by local wages costs. The legislation of the last session stipulated for the maintenance of a fair standard of living. The employer's must show that the present wages were more than sufficient to do this. Mr T. Bloodwoi’th also addressed the Court on behalf of the workers Ho commented on the fact that no retailers had been called in evidence by the employers. He declared that the demands for lower wages came from speculators, who made big profits during recent years and never intended to share them with the workers, but now that some losses were made thej worker .was asked to bear them. The workers, therefore, asked the Court to order the continuance of the present minimum rates for at least another six months.

Wellington, April 29 The Arbitration Court further considered the wages problem.

Mr Parlaue, Secretary of the Drivers’ Union, referring to the Australian standard of articles required for a family of five in arriving at a basic wage figure, said a similar list adopted to Wellington prices would cost £5/l/0-3-4d weekly, to which rent must be added.

Mr Croskcry gave evidence regarding the increased clothing costs Drapery had risen by 60 to 150 per cent.

Air McCombs traversed the evidence in reply and the hearing is expected to conclude, to-day.