THE REDUCED BONUS.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1243, 16 May 1922, Page 5

THE REDUCED BONUS.

RECEIVED WITH MIXED FEELINGS

DECREASED WAGES ENFORCED. WELLINGTON, Monday. Generally speaking, it can be siaid that employers agree that the bonus cut is too small, and will be ineffective because it does not warrant- a decrease in selling prices. The upshot isi likely to be a decreased number of hands, and it will certainly mean taking 5s a week off the men's wages without making an equivalent change in the purchasing power of money. The employers reckoned on a cut of at least lis.

A workers' representative states that Labour disagrees with the decision, because the Court states that living is 67 per cent greater than in 1914, and the general average wage increase is; only 54 to 56 per cent. This representative averred that political influence seemed to have influenced the decision. The motor trade in Auckland and the iron trade in Christchurch have already taken the necessary steps to reduce wages according to the Court's decree.

At Christchurch, the engineering section has reduced the hourly rate of charges for jobbing and open order work. It is hoped this will react upon the trade to the extent of increasing the amount of work offering, and thus extend employment to some at least who are either on short time or entirely unemployed.