WAGE REDUCTIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1931, Page 8

WAGE REDUCTIONS

EMPLOYERS’ APPLICATION. ARBITRATION COURT POWERS. The application filed by the New Zealand Employers’ Association for an order to adjust the Tates of remuneration paid under- awards and industrial agreements is to be heard by the Arbitration Court at Wellington on May 12. Steps are. being taken by unions and combinations of unions to have their views placed before the court at thap hearing. The Arbitration Court was given power to make an order for a reduction of wages by the Finance Act, which became law on April 16. In exercising these powers the Court is to take into account the economic and financial conditions affecting trade and industry in New Zealand. The Court may, however, by this or a subsequent order exclude from the operations of the order any class or section of workers if it is satisfied that by reason of tho special provisions of any awards or industrial agreements affecting them, or, of economic and financial conditions affecting any trade or industry, they should be excluded from the general order. Following upon the announcement that the Act was operative, Mr. T. 0. Bishop, secretary" of the Employers’ Association, made application for a hearing on behalf of all employers working under awards or industrial agreements. A case, Dominion-wide in its scope, in opposition to‘ the employers’ application, is being prepared by the federation of the Trades and Labour Councils and will be conducted before the Court by Mr. W. Bromley and Mr. W. Nash, M.P. A meeting has been convened by the Auckland Trades and Labour Council for April 30 to the views of the executive members of the affiliated trades unions. It is understood that the Alliance of Labour has suggested a meeting at Wellington of representatives of affiliated organisations to discuss the preparation of a case on their behalf. Separate representations will be made to the Court by the New Zealand Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, Mr. T. Bloodworth, of Auckland, having been chosen as advocate. There is an opinion among the workers’ representatives that the Court should make a statement as to its intentions with regard to possible wage reductions so that the parties would know what they have to meet. It is pointed out that this course was taken by the Court some years ago, when the cost of living bonus was' due for adjustment. The Court, on that occasion, announced that it proposed to increase the bonus by 9s a week. The parties then came together to express their views and the employers’ representatives were able to convince the Court that the increase should not exceed ss. However, the Court on this occasion does not propose to give the parties any lead and will make its decision on the arguments presented.