THE BONUS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16456, 18 June 1921, Page 8

THE BONUS.

STATUTORY MINIMUM WAGE. NATIONAL WAGE COUNCILS ADVOCATED. Mr J. M’Combs, M.P., -who represented the Wellington Trades and Labour Council in the Bonus Appeal case, commenting on the Court’s judgment in dismissing the appeal, said that the Court’s recent judgment following the nine shilling bonus decision would do more to undermine our industrial legislation, and the principle of Arbitration than all the agitation of the direct actionists.

The Court in its- judgment on May 14 stated that “ the total additional bonus calculated in accordance with the system laid down by the Court is therefore os per week.” Then, in order to justify the withholding of the bonus, which was “ calculated in accordance with the system laid down by the Court,” the Court, in its published judgment. im mediately proceeded to give another set of calculations without explaining that the figures covered only the food groups, leaving out “rent.” “fuel, and lights,” “clothing ” and “ miscellaneous,” which represent <56 per cent of the full cost of living budget, the computation even then covered only 34 per cent of the cost of living budget, and did not follow the lines “ laid down by the Court.”

In giving judgment on the appeal the Court now says: ‘‘As we stated in our pronouncement, the workers, at present rates, now arc receiving higher rages measured in purchasing power than for several months past,” which statement is only partly true, and is absolutely contrary to fact if on the lines “laid down by the Court” and cm which the six-montlily moving average computations are made. In so far as it is true it amounts to this, that prices are lower to-day than the average for the last six-monthly period. the very period for which the Court granted no increase in wages to meet the ascertained increase in the cost of living, the period in which there was an advance of sixpence per pound in blitter, besides other increases sn prices which still remain and for which the workers have received no compensation.

In the judgment just published the Court, acting on what seems to be mere personal impressions, has found a new reason for refusing the os bonus which is dti-£. The Court states: “We rsi'mot ignore the fact that in Europe and America wages have fallen, and our manufacturers have to face competition from these countries.” That this latest excuse will not* stand a moment’s anal\s:s. one needs only point to a fact which is well known—that rates of v.ages in England, Europe and America doubled and trebled during tbe war, and despite recent falls wages in England and Europe are well over 150 per cent in advance of prewar rates.

A cable from Copenhagen stated that ‘' The Employers’ Association lias issued a statement showing that the wages of all workers has been increased on an average 289 per cent since 1914, while the living costs in the same per iod increased by 168 per cent.” In New Zealand, owing to three different principles laid down by the Arbitration Court—First, bearing the war burden ; second, bonuses calculated on the epidemic period; third, stabilising wages the workers in. New Zealand have only received a 60 per \cent increase in wages to meet on 85 per.cent increase in the cost of living. Jn a publication just received, I find that in England in the building industry, a “National Wages and Conditions Council ” lias been formed and the following “ Working Buie Agreement” has been arrived at:—Wages are to be iixed at 170 per cent in advance of 1914 rates, and for every rise or fall iu prices of 6£ points wages will rise or fall one half-penny per hour. That 1914 wages are not the basis of this agreement is shown bv the fact that if the cost of living steadily falls until it reaches the 1914 level the drop in wages will only be- 26 half-pennies, and wages will then be. 30 per cent higher than they were in August, 1914. Contrast the position in New Zealand, where carpenters have received a .54 per cent increase in wages to meet an Bo per cent increase in the cost of living. Measured in purchasing power, wages in New Zealand are on the average 25 per cent below the 1914 standard,! and if the cost of living falls to tho level of August 1, 1914, the wages will fall proportionately, then wages in New Zealand will be actually 25 per cent below the 1914 rates. Instead of the workers improving their position, as they have in England, in the matter of wages and working conditions. the New Zealand workersunder the Arbitration Court have actually gone back. As there seems to be a Dominion-wide movement by employers, including the big employer, the Government, to lower the standard of life of the workers in New Zealand, and as there seeing little hope of justice from the Arbitration Court, the wage-workers of tbe Dominion, including the public servants, should hand themselves into “National \\ ages and Conditions Councils ” for the purpose of protecting their interests. If the workers: were united it would be readily possible, by means of the ballot box, to compel tbe enactment of a Statutory minimum wage. The principle of a Statutory minimum wage was long ago embodied in our factory legislation.