STABILISED WAGES

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 17, 14 October 1921, Page 8

STABILISED WAGES

ARBITRATION COURT’S POLICY STATEMENT BY MR JUSTICE FRAZER ' The pronouncement made by the Arbitration Court regarding stabilisation of wages was referred to by His Honour Mr. Justice Frazer when the Court resumed its sittings at . the Wellington Supreme Court yesterday morning. “I. refer to the Court’s stabilisation pronouncement, ’’ His Honour, “only because tliero appears to lie a doubt in some quarters as to whether the Court will bu able to continue the scheme until April next. The stabilisation policy was decided upon alter the fullest investigation and inquiry, and with due regard to all financial, economic, end industrial, considerations. .1. want to say now, in the plainest possible words, that, with nearly half the year gone, tho membei-s, of the Court have every reason to believe that, unless something very unforeseen occurs, the stabilisation scheme will stand until the end of the period. '‘“ln one or two industries in which, owing to the past prosperity of the employers and other causes, the rates of wages have been higher than the Court’s standard rates, there is a possibility that owing to changed circumstances, implications will be made to the Court, when claims for new awards are being heard, for reductions in the rates of wages. In the case of these ifidustrics, the Court, before ordering a reduction, will require the clearest and strongest evidence that the present rates cannot be maintained until April, 1922, and no reduction will have the effect of bringing the wages of the wqrkers below the Court’s standard rates for workers of a similar grade working under similar conditions. "Since the issue of the stabilisation' pronouncement in May last, the Coqrv, with a desire to treat all workers with, absolute fairness, has on soveial occasions, when making new awards, brought the rates of wages up to the existing standard. This has been done with the object of ensuring that, when the falling cost of living brings about a general reduction in money wages.-a uniform policy can be adopted, which will keep the workers in all industries on an equitable footing in regaid to real wages and purchasing power.”