GENERAL ORDERS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 198, 17 May 1940, Page 11

GENERAL ORDERS

Amending Of Awards And Agreements

POWER FOR COURT OF ARBITRATION

Rates Of Remuneration

The Court of Arbitration is empowered to amend by general order at not less than six-monthly intervals the provisions of awards and industrial agreements so far as the} determine rates of remuneration, by the .Rates of Wages Emergency Regulations, 1940, which were gazetted last evening. Rates payable under apprenticeship orders can also be similarly amended, but contracts of apprenticeship already in force will not be affected. Ihe intention of the Government to give the Court this authority was announced a few days ago by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb.

Applications for the making of such orders may be made by any industrial union or association of employees or workers. The Court has power to increase or reduce rates of remuneration as it thinks just and equitable. In making an order it is to take into. account. (a) The economic and financial conditions affecting trade an'd industry in New Zealand; (b) the cost, of living, (c) anv rise or fall in the cost ot living since the date when any previous order was made; (d) all other considerations which the Court deems relevant. Before making an order the Court is to give such opportunity, as it thinks proper for representatives of the parties concerned to be heard. However, the failure of any parties to appoint anv such representative will not affect the validity of any general order, nor .may the validity of any order be questioned solely on the ground that sufficient or adequate opportunity has not been afforded any person affected to be heard by the Court. . There is authority in the regulations for the Court to exclude any class, or section of workers from the operation of a general order. Every general order is to be filed with the clerk of awards in every industrial district, and it will be deemed to have been incorporated in every award or industrial agreement in force iu such district as from the date of the order, or as from such other date as may be specified.