THE COST OF LIVING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18460, 25 July 1923, Page 8

THE COST OF LIVING.

GENERAL ORDERS ON WAGES. LEGISLATION TO EXPIRE. NO RENEWAL INTENDED. [BT TELEGR4PH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] .WELLINGTON, Tuesday. "Cabinet has decided that the cost-of-living legislation be. allowed to expire on December 31 next," said tbo Minister for Labour, «he Hon. G. J.' Anderson, in the House of Representatives to-day. This announcement was in answer to Sir.'John ' Luke, who asked . a question on the subject without notice. Beyond saying that Cabinet had resolved not to continue the legislation, the Minister made no further>.-. statement. .■. ;J • The le'gis'-atiori in question is embodied in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act of 1921. This gave the Arbitration ', Court power to amend the rates of wages in awards or industrial, agreements, by mepns of general orders, : based on an : increase or decrease in the cost of living during half-yearly perils, and ; the* economic and financial cnndi'tWis affectincr trade and industry in New Zealand. The particular section of the Act. _ section 9. came into .operation on April' 1, 1922./ and . was to continue in . force until December 51, 1923, and no. longer. , • t " :: "Y.'.'. .''"■- .• Sub-section .11- of section ', 9 states: I ''The repeal or exp ; of this section shall not aff pet; the operation of .[ anv award or industrial ; agreement ; pmended',] pursuant fTior«>fo. and every such award or industrial agreement v as; so: amended . j,>hal| continue to operate .'lis If this-section had 'remained in force." ;' r,t . "■ v;'. ';' The next • peneral. or d°f of : the iOMrrt -will he .made.' j»ser the half-year ending , ■ on September 30. " ' > ■<':■■ "••>•.'