ARBITRATION COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 354, 23 March 1922, Page 6

ARBITRATION COURT.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 22. | The Arbitration Court to-day replied to a series of questions put to it by the Wellington i’rades Council regarding its pmvere io vary awards and concerning the interj.H’Otnjion ol tlio 1922 Act. r l lie Court fiiiitl ihat, in regard to the adjustment of wages on the basis of the increased cost of living, ii. would hear one general case at Wcllingfon to cover all the awards and industrial i agreements throughout ihe Dominion. B | was thought Unit three or four represcnbi- I lives on each side would he sufficient. Iho practice that had obtained in the past in .connection with applications under the War 1 Legislation Act ol 1918 would ho followed. ’ Tim Court would endeavour to make an announcement with regard to the movet ment of the cost, of living about the end of the month, and on the 26fh April would hear evidence and argument _ respecting tin- economic, and Financial conditions affect - ing trade ami industry, and till other re-h; viint considerations. In the case of appli cations by employers for the exclusion of any class or section of workers from the operation of the general 'order on I Inground that a greater reduction should be made, 1' would he necessary to prove the existence oi'’ exceptional economic conditions.. i The Court Mould have to he satisfied that die rati of remuneration would enable the workers to maintain a lair standard ol living. The- new legislation provided that ihe Court should ascerlain (he fair standard of living as against a fair living wage under the legislation now about to expire. The conception ot what constituted a fair

stmularc- of living niiglil vary Iroin nnu* in time, lint it was thought that die altered wording war intended Io enable the Loin I to mainlaln as far as possible its relative standards. The rates fixed by any award made alter the coining into operation ot the general order would mil he a fleeted by dial order. , The Judge left it io the Wellington Trades Council io arrange lor die labour representation at, the hearing on the general question.