INDUSTRIAL ARBITRATION COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11113, 1 December 1914, Page 4

INDUSTRIAL ARBITRATION COURT.

WAR AND WAGES. United Press Association—By Elec, trie Telegraph-Copyright. Sydney, N'ov. 30. r in the Industrial Arbitration Court, Mr Justice Heydon delivered judgment in connection with the application of a number of trade groups regarding the powers of Wages Boards during war time. This arose out of the contention of the chairmen of several boards that they should, for the time, cease to deal with applications to regulate wages. Mr Justice Heydon said there was no direct provision in the Act empowering the court to give the boards such directions, but he thought the appellate jurisdiction of the court justified it. After traversing the detrimental effects of the war on commerce and employment, referring to the means pointing to a protracted war, he held that Government employees must not at present look for higher wages, and as regards other workers the presumption was against any claims for increases. The ruling appl'.ed to nil cases before the court. Things might develop favourably in a short time: therefore he suggested that the existing awards be renewed for a short term with the right ro apply for increases within that time if the circumstances justified it.