AUSTRALIAN WAGES CUT.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1931, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN WAGES CUT.

There is a decided, touch of grim ironyin the dismissal by the full Arbitration Court of' Australia of the application made by the Common wealth Government for the suspension for three months of the 10 per cent, reduction in wages. This'cut was fixed t<? take place on the first day ©f the present month. The court registered a unanimous decision to the effect that it was impossible, ho-wever desirable it might be to help a Government faced with heavy responsibilities, to nullify its considered opinion, and that whatever might be done to meet the present crisis there was no escape from a reduction of at least 10 per cent, in wage standards. Moreover, the court emphasised that any delay in bringing into operation the necessary reduction of wages would aggravate unemployment. In thus defying the Labour Government the court certainly upheld the best traditions of justice. Whatever views may be entertained concerning the existence or abolition of Arbitration Courts, there should be no two opinions that so long as such tribunals exist they should exercise their powers justly and equitably as between the workers, the employer? and the consumers. It i? quite refreshing to find that a Court'of Arbitration has flouted a Labour Government in favour of public interests. Had such courts always adopted a similar policy much trouble and irritation in the past would have been avoided. It has to bo presumed that an Arbitration court is in duty bound to hbld the scales of justice with an even and impartial hand. The reason why Supreme Court judges are freed from all vestige of political control is patent to the meanest intelligence, and that is why any attempt by a Government to induce a court to make a decision ip its favour should be resented, promptly and with dignity. The Federal Court is worthy of commendation for its just and comahon-sensb action.