FURTHER DETAILS OF THE JUDGEMENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 13 December 1920, Page 8

FURTHER DETAILS OF THE JUDGEMENT.

WELLINGTON, Dee. 13. Giving judgment on the bonus question, Mr Justice Stringer ' stated that it had been shown clearly that owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding the bonuses granted to worker.? in the periods ended. September, 1919/ and March, 1920, were based on calculations made by the acting-Government Statistician on the basis of the monthly index figures instead of,, as intended by the Court, on a moving average under the figures. Further, the 9u bonus was arrived at on the same erroneous basis. The correct bonus for last period was 7s", but .since the total bonus over the whole period should have been 15s, and' as 10s per week was already being paid, trie proper amount less that period was ss. After reviewing the finnne'al and industrial conditions now prevailing in the Dominion and elsewhere the Court discussed very fully whether it would, be jmt and equitable to grant any further bonus at aii. It regretted there had not been some system of co-operation be- j tween'the Arbitration Court' with fixed j wages and the Board of Trade with fixed prices, and it had grave doubts as to whether the Court would" be justified in granting any further increase; but i taking into consideration the fact that I from January 1 to October 31 the wo-rk- ! ers were receiving 2s pei; week'in excess of the correct amount it was fair and reasonable that the payment should lie adjusted, making the bonus for the cur_ rent six months 3s, which "was, in the Court's- opinion, as great, as was warranted. , The judgment was that of the president aloffo, Mr. Scott holding that no bonus should be granted, and Mr. Mc Culluugh that it should be 5s at least.