WAR BONUSES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 883, 8 December 1916, Page 9

WAR BONUSES.

AN AG-REEMENT NECESSARY. Preax A.nsociation. AUCKLAND, December 7. A point of some interest cropped up at the Arbitration Court v.'hen an application for an amendment of the award was made on behalf of the Ohincmuri mining engine-drivers in the direction of providing for a war bonus of Id per hour above the present rate of pay. Mr Justice Stringer pointed out that the Court had no jurisdiction, and where amendments had been made in this direction the bonus had been agreed to by both parties. If it were competent for a union to apply to the Court for an increase in wages, which a war bonus really amounted to, the award would, to all intents and purposes, become worthless. No application of the kind could be granted, unless by agreement between both parties.