THE BONUS CONTROVERSY.

Evening Star, Issue 17955, 28 April 1922, Page 6

THE BONUS CONTROVERSY.

[Pea United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. April 28. The employees’ ease on tiio Ixinus question. was continued in tuo Arbitration Court- to-day, when Mr Mack, speaking in the capacity of secretory of the Amalgamated Society oi. lunlway Scr\;ints, earnestly supported the case against any reduction being made in wages, and dedal ed that the railwaymcn, who did not all pav such high rents as other workers and who received part of their clothing, wore not able to keep pace with the cost of living on present wages. Ho handed in family 'budgets in support of his argument. .Mr L, F. Evans, of the, Otago 1 rades and Labor Council, contended that no reduction should take place until a. Commission was set up to define a reasonable ,standard of living. He reviewed the Made outlook, .and quoted various reports promising good times. Mr Armstrong, on behalf of the Canterbury unions, protested against any reduction, saying that the 1814 standard of living had not been sufficient. and that the wages of to-day did not enable them to live' up to that standard ; and if a Commission was appointed it should go absolutely into the question of rents and reduction of wages. There was no other way to improve the prosperity of the country.

Mr Maddison dealt exclusively with the subject of a fair standard of living, saying that if a proper standard were not up it would result in increased output, great industrial peace, and increased national wealth.