COST OF LIVING.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1922, Page 3

COST OF LIVING.

ARBITRATION bonuses

TWO REVISIONS THIS YEAR. 1 AVELLINGTON, January 16. ‘ The most important clauses in the

amendment of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act introduced by Governor-General’s message to-night and read a second time pro forma, to be referred to the’ Labour Bills Com-' mittee, relate to the cost of living, bonuses granted under special war leg-! islation.

The Bill proposes that all such cost of living bonuses shall cease and this legisation come to an end oil April 30 next Then the Arbitration Court, as soon after May 1 a s is convenient, and also as soon after November 1 as convenient, shall proceed to ascertain the rate of increase or decrease in the cost of living as on March 31, 1922, and as on September 30, 1922, compared with the average cost of living for six months endeS September 30, 1920, and may bygeneral order increase Or reduce rates of remuneration payable under agreement or industrial award as it considers just and equitable. The clause declares that the Court in making such order shall have regard to the economic and financial conditions affecting industry in New Zealand and other relevant considerations, and may make increases or reductions as it thinks just and equitable, having regard to a fair standard of living. These orders shall operate as from May 1 and November 1, 1922, respectively; and continue in operation for six months, or until varied by subsequent order. The Court is also given general power on its own motion, or oil application of a party to an award, to make such provision as it considers just and equitable for any section of workers, if it considers that by reason of any special provision of an award or of economic conditions affecting the trade- such section of workers should be excluded from tho operations of the general order relating to cost of living payments. The following qnullification fis insertcld:

“Provided that the Court shall not reduce the rate of remuneration of ally such workers to a lower wage thaii will in the opinion of the Court, enable such workers to maintain a fair standard of

living*” Applications uru'lcvt-lic lust, clause or special conditions must he made after a ballot of a union or association of employers and must state the special grounds therefor. GENERAL AMENDMENTS.

In addition to the clauses completely recasting the cost of living bonus legislation the amendment of the Arbitration Act- introduced to-night socks to change the status of the judge of the Supreme Court is repealed, as is the clause in the main Act empowering the Chief Justice to appoint a temporary judge of the Court. A change is made in regard to voting for assessors on the Court, provisions being made that while any union mayhave one vote for each of fifty members, no union shall have more than three votes. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants i s specifically excluded from participating in the election. The Court is given general power to amend any award if all the parties are desirous of having it reviewed. Awards do not apply to the Crown, while the Bill now seeks also to exclude local bodies from their operation. In connection with the election of assessors for conciliation councils, a new lau.se provides that every person recommended as an assessor must be actually bona fide engaged or employed, either as an employer or An a worker, in the industrial district and in the industry, or in any one of the industries in respect of which a dispute has arisen, provided that m case of a dispute affecting women or girls the commissioner may appoint as one of the assessors some person not qualified as aforesaid, but, being a person resident in the industrial district, who possesses knowledge of the industry in respect of which a dispute has arisen. CASUAL VACANCIES.

the industrial district, who possesses knowledge of the industry in respect of which a dispute has arisen. CASUAL VACANCIES. The procedure provided in the Bill for filling casual vacancies on the Arbitration Court is that the GovernorGeneral, instead of asking industrial unions to make a recommendation, may appoint as nominated member appoint** ed on tho recommendation of unions ol employers or workers, as the case may he. He shall hold office for the residue of his predecessor's tenii. Power is given tho Governor-General to fill a vacancy in'acting-nominated member or to leave it unfilled for the remainder of the term. Clause 11 of the Bill proposes to enact that any person who attempts to dissiuulc any two or more workers from accepting work under an awn lid or ■agreement .with intent to defeat the purposes of such award or the carrying on of Work, or in furtherance of a dispute between employer and workers, is liable to a fine on summary conviction of £lO in case of a worker bound by such award, or £SO in the caw of any other person. A similar clause provides for a fine of £SO for an employ#' who attempts to dissaude other employers from employing workers under an award, while the fine is £IOO if tho offence is committed by a person other than an employer bound by such award or agreement.