WAGES INCREASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23761, 14 September 1940, Page 14

WAGES INCREASE

THE GENERAL ORDER ' t \ -V » • A EXEMPTION SOUGHT STOREMEN AND PACKERS .—:— j Another employers' application for exemption from the general order of the Arbitration Court increasing award wages by 5 per cent was brought before the Arbitration Court yesterday. The application was made by Sir. H. J. Bishop for complete exemption of the New Zealand (except Westland) storemen and packers' award, dated June 27 last, from the general order. Mr. W. Miller appeared on behalf of the union to oppose the application. Sir. Bishop said the application was made on the grounds, firstly, that the award granted substantial increases in wages and improvements in conditions, notwithstanding that there was no evidence given of any alteration in the conditions of work or the circumstances of the employers since the making of the previous award; and, secondly, that since the making of the award there had been nothing to justify any further increases in wages. The latest award had made an increase of 5s a week in wages, an increase in the casual rate from 2s 4d to 2s 6d and ah alteration in the hours of work, whereby the 40 hours had now boon confined to five days a week. The Court had' been over-generous in this award, in that it took into account an erroneous basis of wages, and it might find that it could not award the whole of the bonus to these workers.

Sir. Stiller said the points raised by the employers were irrelevant and were tantamount to asking the Court to re-make the award. Sir. Justice Tvndall, who presided, said the Court would reserve its decision.

Arrangements were made for fixtures to he made ]ater for the hearing of similar exemption applications in rospcct of the New Zealand dairy factories' award, the New Zealand private hotel employees' award and the New Zealand chartered clubs' award.