WAGE CUT EXEMPTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 September 1931, Page 3

WAGE CUT EXEMPTIONS

REFUSED BY COURT.

[PUB PBISS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, September 9. “The Arbitration Court is unable to accept the suggestion that any action on its part that would tend to increase the cost of production could lessen, the casualness of employment which, is a real hardship,” declares the Arbitration Court in declining to exempt the Christchurch Tailoresses’, Pressers’, Cutters’, and other Clothing Trade Employees’ Union, from the operation of the 10 per cent, reduction in wages. The court’s finding is dissented from by Mr. A. L.Monteith, the workers’ representative.

BAD EFFECT ON TRADE.

WELLINGTON, September 9.

Two decisions of the Arbitration Court on applications heard in Auckland for exemption from the general order' making a ten per cent, cut in the award wages, were announced today. They are of national interest in view of the numerous similar applications pending in the other centres. In the case of the Auckland Gas Company’s employees the Court announced that it could not see that an order for exemption from the general order was justified. In the case of the Northern Tailoresses’ Union, the Court said it was forced to the conclusion that a restoration of higher rates of wages for all workers in the trade would in time of depression have a detrimental effect on consumption, which would be reflected in reduced aggregate earnings for the workers.