THE BONUS REDUCTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18556, 17 May 1922, Page 6

THE BONUS REDUCTION

GENERAL IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Pee United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. May 16. The bonus reduction promises to be fairly general in Christchurch. In the following cases a decision to reduce wages has been come to: —Ironmasters, cartage contractors, sawmillers, clothing manufacturers, retail shops, coach and motor body builders, hairdressers, bakers, and Aulsebrook and Co. Questioned to-day regarding the report that shea'rers and freezing works employees are taking a ballot on the question of action in the bonus reduction matter, Mr Ellis (secretary of the Slaughtermen’s and Allied Trades’Union) said that nothing was available for publication at present. The men employed at Borthwick’s works at Belfast say that no reduction has yet been made, and as the season will last only another month it is quite likely that the reduction will; not bo made this season. SOFTGOODS WAREHOUSEMEN. POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 16. The wages of softgoods warehousemen here are expected to be reduced by 6s per week, although the employees in Christchurch are organised as a guild, and not as an industrial union. A Sun representative was informed that the wages have been based on those paid to the softgoods warehousemen in Dunedin, who have a union and work under an award. As the wages would be adjusted in Dunedin to meet the pronouncement by the Arbitration Court, a corresponding adjustment is' expected in Christchurch. AUCKLAND GAS COMPANY. PRICE OF FUEL REDUCED. AUCKLAND, May 16. The Auckland Gas Company, following the bonus reduction, has announced a reduction in the prices of gas and coke, representing £12,800 per annum. PRICE OF TIMBER REDUCED. CHRISTCHURCH, May 16. .> At a meeting of the Sawmillers’ Employers' Union it was decided to observe the Arbitration Court’s bonus otder and to reduce the price of milling timbers by the equivalent of Ti per cent. THREAT OF STRIKE. TOKOMARU BAY FREEZING WORKS. (Peb United Press Arsocia'ton.i GISBORNE, May 16. The employees of the Tokomaru Bay Freezing Company notified the management to-night that they will refuse to accept the wages reduction in accordance with the Arbitration Court’s pronouncement, and gave notice that if the provision is applied to them they will cease iwork from midnight. The manager states that if this attitude is persisted in the works will close down. They will only keep open till the end of next week in any case.