THE BONUS CUT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16735, 17 May 1922, Page 8

THE BONUS CUT.

EFFECT ON MEAT PRICES, BUTCHERS DECISION. At a meeting of the Christchurch Master Butchers’ Union of employers held on Tuesday it was decided to observe the Arbitration Court’s general order regarding wages and to see that the amount of wage reduction is reflected in retail prices. PRICE REDUCTIONS. URGED BY EMPLOYER S’ ASSOCIATION. The executive of . the Employers’ As-=:->ria + ’on met on ATondny to consider the matter of the Arbitration Court’s general order which reduces wages by the amount of the reduction in the cost of living. All sections of trade and industry were represented. It was decided to recommend the observance I O'l’rt's peneral order affecting workers under awards, to apply tbe same proportionately to salaried officers -, o t under awards but who have been in receipt of increases due to w'f tiivo conditions, and to reflect in prices of commodities, etc-, the full amount that such reductions will permit. ACTION IN MOTOR TRADE. At a of special meeting of the New Zealand Alotor Traders’ Association, held yesterday, it was decided that the pronouncement of the Arbitration Court regarding reduction in wages be given effect to and that the wages of all other employees not governed by awards be reduced by 5 per cent. Tt was fur ther decided that the above reduct iofi in wages be passed on to the public by a corresponding reduction in charges. FREEZING WORKS CLOSE. (Per Press Association.) GISBORNE, Alay 17. The Tokomaru Bay freezing work* of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Company closed down to-day for the winter. The decision was thb result of the action of the employees in refusing to work at the reduced scale of pay authorised by the Arbitration Court. NO REDUCTION IN PRICES. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 17. The Wellington Alaster Bakers’ and Pastrycooks’ Union of Employers announce that as it is absolutely impracticable to pass op the present 5s cut in wages, and as provisions of a new award are to be considered by the Court next month, no reduction will be made at present in the price of bread or wages. Tt is hoped that this may be ible after tbe new award is made. Incuiries in other dire t ons give few sign s ; of definite redactions in j. rices. LABOUR’S OBJECTIONS. RENT DISCREPANCIES. Br TeVgrraph—Pres-* Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received ATav 17, 11.20 a.m.) SYDNEY. Alay 17.

A committee appointed by the trades unions to consider the new basic wage has drafted a report of fourteen points, repudiating the verdict on the grounds that the Board of Trade was not impartial, and that the declaration was based 'bn unreliable data. The committee also objects that the wage was increased only once in a year and that now it has been decreased twice in six months. Th" discrepancies between the estimates of Air Justice Heydon and Afr A. B. Piddington of various items in the cost of living, particularly rents, are referred to as a testimony to the unsatisfactory method of arriving at a living wage. The former specified 14. s 6d and Piddiugton 22s 6d for a house with an extra room.