ARBITRATION COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1920, Page 1

ARBITRATION COURT

(Per Press Association.) THE NEW BONUS. WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. As the result of a statement by the representatives of various unions at the Arbitration Court to-day, the Court decided to give unions the opportunity of submitting reasons why the 9s bonus should be granted to their particular unions.

Judge Stringer said that lie took it that the whole matter would be accepted as a contingent on the decision of the Court as the result of recent argument, hut it was pointed out that special circumstances obtained in special industries.

The Judge therefore said that the opportunity stated above would be afforded this afternoon, when the applications of the Typographical, Bookbinders’, Hairdressers’, and Drivers’ Unions will be heard.

December 9t,h has. been fixed as the date upon wliicli nil other applications will be taken. WELLINGTON, Dee. 4.

In applying for the 9s bonus for the Typographical Union, Mr Chapman on their behalf, claimed there was a big margin between the cost of production and land values and wages. In 1914 compositors erceived £3 5s weekly and at present £5 13s. He objected to the reduction in hours any payment for holidays being taken into acebmil. The basic wage to-day ought to be £5 18s fid. There was no unemployment, oh the contrary men had been recalled from superannuation or retirement. . Mr Pirani for the employers said Mr Chapman’s figures were antiquated. •Wages had increased 82 to 102 per cent. Ho laid particular stress on the advance in. the cost of materials and especially of paper, which had gone from £l2 to £7O per ton. For years a number of printing businesses had not paid dividends. At least twenty were in this position and others were not prosperous. He pointed out that men were earning up to £8 3s 7d per week. He could 1 not understand persons earning such wages demanded a bonus. The greatest objection to it was the matter of public policy. Newspapers were being cut down in size and. if charges again increased prices would have to bo raised. It was harmful to the community to clip the newspaper’s wings. It would be dangerous to increase the price to 3d. It, was in the.public ill* terst that newspapers should be helped and not forced to'curtail their news. AT their expenses were being increased, yet the lowest wages was £5 13s for 45 hours as against £3 5s for 48, hours work. Judgment in this, and all other applications was reserved.