AWARDS & WAGES

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 13, 17 January 1922, Page 7

AWARDS & WAGES

COST-OF-LIVING BONUS

PROVISION FOR REVIEW

ALTERATION IN FOUR MONTHS,

The most important section of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, introduced in the House of Representatives last night, in the clause which provides new methods and new machinery for the/alteration of , awards in respect of cost-of-living bonuses. The existing law is to continue until 30th April, and is then to be replaced by the

new provisions.

The existing powers of the Court to alter awards on account of changes in the cost of living are to terminate on 30th April, and the alterations and amendments made in pursuance of that power are to cease to operate as from that date. The action of the Court in making amendments in awards operative from certain dates is validated. On and after Ist May the following provisions shall apply:—

(a) The Court may, as soon as convenient after Ist May and Ist November, proceed to ascertain the rate of increase ;or decrease in the cost of living as on 31st March and 30th September respectively, compared with the average cost of living for the six mpnths ended 30th September, 1920, and may by f general oraei1 increase.or reduce the rates of remuneration payable under any award or' industrial agreement as it considers just and equitable. (b) The Court, in making this order, shall have regard to the economic and financial conditions affecting trade and industry in New Zealand, and all other relevant considerations, and may make such increase or reduction as it thinks just and equitable, having regard to a fair standard of living. (c) The general order is to be filed with the Clerk of Awards, and is to be deemed to have been inc6rporated in every award and agreement as from Ist Hay and Ist November, and shall continue for six months or until varied by' • a subsequent order. / (d) Power is given to the Court to make special provisions, either in the general order or subsequently, either on tiie application of a party to the award or on its own motion, if it is satisfied that because of special provisions of an award or agreement affecting the workers or of economic conditions affecting any trade or industry, a class or section of workers should be excluded from the general order; but the remuneration of the workers is not to be reduced below what will enable them to maintain

a fair standard of living,

(c) Applications under the last section must be approved by members of a union in the same way as if a new award were being sought, and every ap-' li cation is to state the special grounds on which it is based.

It is specifically stated that " rates remuneration" include basic wages and bonuses, and references to the cost of living are deemed to import a reference to a fair standard of living. The Bill was referred to the Labour Bills Committee after a pro forma second reading.