MINERS’ WAGES VARIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18542, 1 May 1922, Page 4

MINERS’ WAGES VARIATION.

It may be recalled that', when the Arbitration Court made awards in, the coalmining industry six months ago, a special provision was inserted enabling the court, on its own motion, to vary, by a special order, the excess above the standard either by increase or redaction, according to the figures supplied by the Government Statistician relative to the cost of Hiring. In arriving at its award in this respect the court adopted the principle of the national agreement. It fixed an amount of 60 per cent, for time rates and 50 per cent, for piece rates above those ruling in 1914, and it is these percentages which are subject to variation by the court. Hie standard rates, therefore, remain intact, but the excess may be increased or reduced under the conditions stated. As the awards fixed the months cf March and September as the period ou which the adjustment was to be made, the first' operation of the Sliding scale takes effect from to-day, and the substance of the order will be found in another column. Since this order comes at a moment when the organised employers and workers bam been discussing the general influence of the cost of living on purchasing power, some misapprehension may be caused through an association of the variation in the coal mine wages with the general question. As a matter of fact, there* is no relationship between the coal miners’ adjustment as announced in the court’s order and the proceedings which closed in the Arbitration Court oh Saturday. The order announced to-day merely gives legal effect to a special provision in the coal mines awards that weta made six mouths ago, under which a revision of wages Wy be based upon the statistical infoimation supplied by the responsible officer. While we have no doubt that the court has shown meticulous care in arriving at the adjustment, it would be helpful if it were to append to such awards or orders a simple, concrete computation which could be used as a guide lay the parties. A similar point arose in the shearers’ award, where percentages were used. As the majority cf those following ordinary occupations find some difficulty in dealing; with percentages or in making a calculation which diminishes an amount “in the ratio which 57.76 bears to 41.21” a simplification of the problem would be appreciated. As there flppeir to be signs that falling wages are definitely bringing about lower prices, it Is clear that, through the added impetus which will thus be given to industry, the wageearners will gain in purchasing power through the readjustments that 1 are now taking place.