WAGE REDUCTION ORDER

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1931, Page 6

WAGE REDUCTION ORDER

APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTION AMICABLE SPIRIT AT AUCKLAND. ' I ll—imwi t d By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The first of 37 Auckland applications io the Arbitration Court for exemption from the general order of the court reducing wages by 10 per cent, came before the court to-day. A unique feature about the first case to be called, that of three transport workers’ unions, was that complete agreement had already been reached between the parties, and all that was sought was its ratification by the court. A settlement had been reached on the basis of granting exemption on the first £2 a week of wages from the cut, and applying it only to that part of the wage in excess of that amount. The court’s ratification of this settlement was sought. ■ . “I am very glad the board and the unions with which it works have been able to settle their differences in an amicable way,” said Mr. Justice Frazer. “I hardly need to tell you that members of the court regret having to make wage reductions. Sometimes these things are necessary, and when the necessity does arise it is pleasing to see the parties concerned getting together and trying to adjust any differences which could be adjusted in the amicable spirit in which the board and the unions have met each other.” His Honour intimated that the court would make an order giving effect to the terms of the agreement.

An application by employees of the Auckland fire brigades for exemption from the general order was argued before the court. Eight similar applications were heard by the court recently in Christchurch, and all but one, which was refused, were deferred pending the hearing of applications from kindred unions in other centres. Decision ww reserved. '