SALARY REDUCTIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 199, 24 July 1931, Page 6

SALARY REDUCTIONS.

■HOSPITAL BOARD'S DECISION. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, July 24. By six votes to 5, the Hospital Board reaffirmed its previous decision that the 10 per cent reduction apply to all its employees. The question had been reopened by a motion “that the cut does not apply to first-year nurses or servants receiving under £2OO per annum.” AUCKLAND APPLICATIONS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 23. The first of 37 Auckland applications to the Arbitration Court tor exemption from tho general order of the Court reducing wages by 10 per cent, came before the Court to-day. A unique feature about the first case t-o be called, that of tho three transport workers’ unions, was that a complete agreement had already been reached between the parties and all that was sought was its ratification by the Court. A settlement had been reached on a basis of granting exemption on the first £2 a week of wages from the cut and applying it only to that part of the wage in excess of that amount. The Court’s ratification of this settlement was sought. “I am ven- glad the board and the unions with which it works have been able to settle their differences in an amicable wav,” said Mr Justice F’-azer. “I hardly need to tell you that members of the Court regret having to make wage reductions. Sometimes these things are necessary, and when necessity does arise it is pleasing to see the parties concerned getting together and trying to adjust any differences which could be adjusted in the amicable spirit in which the board and unions have met each other.” His Honour intimated that the Court would make an order giving effect to the terms of the agreement. The application of the employees’of Auckland fire brigades for exemption from the general order was argued before the Court. Eight similar applications were heard by the Court recentlv in Christchurch, and all but one, which was refused, were deferred pending the hearing of applications from kindred unions in other centres. Decision was reserved.