THE BASIC WAGE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 142, 13 December 1923, Page 7

THE BASIC WAGE

APPLICATION TO COURT

OBJECTION OF INFORMALITY,

f« »WKa' P??*™ *° be Borne- doubt as Z W^e^ th« Allianice of Labour will Wn it ,tlJ e. :o PP<« 1tiinity applied for before the Arbitration Court some days , tt»nf; i" 8"6 a case in favour of a subbS»T £"*""■ in-the basic rate - befoie the expiration of the 1922-23 legislation. The Court has v previouily" stipulated that it will not dur^g ««"»» deal with an application wwl the i>m f h^ alhtace did "ot consult ' Svi«"? 3\T °rßanisations before ap-. tIT At Court *«■« -date to be ' see th«t the emPloy^ cannot _ hLI 7 nay-^ COnsent t0 the matter - bemg dealt with in the informal man- - ncr desxred by the applicant ■ - Act eCol°]q?l° f -the LC- and ,J Act of 1921 g lves power to the Arb£ '. as i ?hSl U fi ,tO tl amend in su* manner ; or nH, t fit the Provisi°as of awards- ■ oi industnal agreements in thVprincipaT mLTI '/ S th°se P*ovi^ determine rates of remuneration of workers. t° ?\ em? MS tt« Power the Court has to take into consideration the increase or decrease m the cost of living and air other relevant considerations, tnd the . Act provides that it may by general In raters ™* 'l ™™° reductfoa eouitabl l Pa- y Mft thinkß '*>* ™* equitable, having regard to a fair stand?W l! f Dg- ,?*' is furtlier Provided Cott °r,l m^ g a general °>-der the Court shall afford such opportunity v - t^h Pr°pe- J° the Parties .bound, ■ by awards and industrial agreements:^" argue m respect to the amornit by which rates of remuneration should be increased or decreased. ■ ■-.-' . The Court made two general orders m accordance with the provisions of this iq?P S t uhe Act-tl»« first in May, ib^ and the second in November, 1922 m rf T t -^ "° general order *£' made but in announcing its decision the Court stated that the cost of living fie-: ures indicated a reduction of & per week m the wages of adult male .workers. At- the end of the next six--monthly period, in October, 1923 the' Court again announced that it would not make any'general order. It is contended in some circles.that the alliance has no standing in now making .application for a date to be fixed for hearing argument on the basic wage question, and' - that if it had been the Court's intent' ~ tion to make a general order ah oppoiv"" tumty of presenting arguments would"" have been afforded the representatives ' of the parties concerned. It is argued - that as the Court announced that itwould not make a general order there ls^no legislative authority under which such an opportunity may now b« '.■ afforded.