COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 119, 13 February 1920, Page 8

COST OF LIVING

HOTEL WORKERS* DEMANDS

BONUS OF 10/- A WEEK WANTED

An interesting discussion as to the correct application of the War Legislation tho Statute Law Amendment Act, 1918, took place in the Arbitrnton Court yts-, terday. Mention was made by Mr. li. Kennedy of a number of applications under tho Act in question on Hie jarl of the various licensed hotel workers, private hotel workers, and restaurant workers' unions. Jfr. Kennedy said that everybody else in the country was getting a bonus except the hotel and restaurant employees. The applications were therefore, lor ; bonus of Ids. a week. His Honour pointed out tb.at the applications scarcely came within the scope of the Act, wh'ich was limited. Toe awards which it was now desired f. amend were only made late last yea - , fh/ latest two coming into effect early in August. Under the War Legislation Act the Court had no powor to amend an award. It had merely power to grant a bonus if the employees could show to the satisfaction of the Court that th* cost of living had ffone up sinco the award camo into operation. Mr. Kennedy stated that ho was not in possesion 'of any data showing the increase in tho cost of living covering the period in question. His Honour pointed out that he could not review the question of wages under the application before the Court. The Court, however, might consider the application in terms of its ruling of Dm-;*-ber 2 last, under which an extra bonus of one penny per hour—ls. per week in all-was granted. Tin's bonus -vas 'based on the 'Government Statistician's figures, and was to cover the further increase in tho cost of living. On Whose Shoulders? In objecting to the application, Mr. Grenfell, >vho appeared for the empln\ ers, urged that the majority at any rate of the employees in the hotels were singlo persons. Their meals were provided on the premises by their employers, and they were thus not affected by any increase in the cost of living. If lb" were any increase in the cost of living so far as these houses were concerned it was entirely borne by the employers. His Honour; Your estimation is Miat in granting the liomw of 4s. tho Court was providing for the man with a family. Mr. Grenfell asked the Court to take into consideration the fact that the employers had already granted increases commensurate with the cost of living. His Honour remarked that Mr. Grenfell should bear in mind that these increases did not cover more than the three food groups and rent. Since then, at the request of tho Court, the Government Statis' ician had revised his figures. After hrtner discussion, His Honour announced that the- Court would consider the application from tho standpoint of the recent basic increase of per weeic. Mr. Kennedy intimated that the Wellington licns'cd hotel workers did not come within the scope of his applioation, as they were at present treating with their employers. At a later ftage Mr. Kennedy announced that negotiations referred to had resulted in an agreement providing for a bonus of Gs. on nil wages 'paid.