BASIC WAGE

Evening Star, Issue 24918, 16 July 1943, Page 4

BASIC WAGE

IMPORTANT COURT DECISION "The question submited presents peculiar difficulties, and, whether the answer is given in the affirmative or the negative, "we are likely in either case, to encounter implications which, if possible, it would 3ia,ye been desirable to avoid," states the opinion of the Arbitration Court on a question arising out of t,he New Zealand retailchemists' assistants' award.

The" clause to .which the question related ee.ts out the rates of wages for females, and adds: " Provided that a worker at the age. of 21 years or upwards shall be paid, not less than the baSjc: wage for tho time being prevailing." The question put to the court by the inspector of awards in Christchurch ■was: " Is an adult female worker in receipt of.the Basic wage of £1 16s per week prescribed by the general.order of the Court of;Arpitrati6n, dated November 2, 1936, <m•tit;lpd- tq the !bonuses awarded by the Court of Arbitration in its general orders doted August;?, 1940, and M»rcl) 31. j. 942 »» , The court's answer to the question is *' Yes."