THE FALL IN WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1922, Page 4

THE FALL IN WAGES.

As a result of the latest periodical investigation by the Arbitration Court, covering the whole field of the cost of living, a pronouncement was made by the Court last Friday to the effect that, measured in wages, the cost of living has fallen during the past half-year to an extent that would reduce the adult wage by three shillings per week, making a total of eight shillings since April last, when the adult wage dropped by five shillings. All the groups and sub-groups show a decrease as compared with the previous half-year except rent, which exhibits an increase of 2.06 per cent. Before making an order, the Court will hear representatives of employers and workers as to other considerations affecting wages, but the workers may regard the Court’s pronouncement as indicating a lowering of wages, under ordinary circumstances, by three shillings a week. The only just way for the workers to take this reduction is to bear in mind that their wages were not increased, but that bonuses were granted in the ratio of the cost of living, a temporary expedient that was necessarily devised to meet a special need. Now that tile cost of living has fallen, these bonuses automatically take the same course. The workers may view this matter differently, but they cannot alter the facts on which the Court bases its decisions.