TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1920, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

[PKII PRESS ASSOCIATION. —CJPYRIGHT.J

COST OF LIVING BONUS. J AUCKLAND, September 10. In the Arbitration Court to-day His Honour, Mr Justice Stringer in several cases refused to grant the full cost of living bonus of 6 j- to female workers on the grounds that the full bonus was really intended for married" men with a family of three. It was argued by the representative of the Musicians’ Union that a woman might be leading the orchesti’a, and that the wages were the same for men and women, but his Honour replied that the question of wages did not enter into the matter at all.

Miss Cossey, on behalf of the tailoresses, urged an increase on certain white-workers’ minimum wages, as they would only get half the 6/- bonus according to the Court’s ruling, and. they would have to be contented with 35J- a week for another seven months. His Honour remarked that coal and sugar were becoming so scarce that they would not require to expend money on these items. The union would have to be put on the same basis as workers in the South.

RAILWAY BY-LAW BREACH. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 10. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day a man was charged with a breach of the New Zealand Government Railway bylaws, Section 79, in tlia-t he failed to quit a reserved seat when asked to do so. lie not being the holder of a reserved ticket. Defendant maintained that there was no. mark denoting any reservation upon the seat he took, and as the seat was not .claimed, until the train left, and l lie could not get another, lie refused to leave it. He was a smoker and did not wish to leave the smoking car. Mr Day, S.M., said he thought it was the first case brought under the by-law in question anywhere ; in New Zealand. He would convict and order defendant to pay coshs.

FIRE 1 AT WOOLSTON. CHRISTCHURCH, September H. A fire early this morning destroyed the principal buildings of Walter Hill’s wool scouring works at Woolston. The loss includes valuable machinery, which cannot be readily replaced, and 500 bales of wool. Seventy men arte jut of work. The loss is estimated . at £20,000.