WAGE CUT.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1922, Page 4

WAGE CUT.

ASKED BY EMPLOYERS,

_ COURT’S REFUSAL. [BS T EXEC KAMI —PEK IMIEBH ASSOCIATION 1 ] .

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 20

The Arbitration Court has declined to make the .‘l3 per cent wage cut for which the North Canterbury thrashing mill owners applied this week, but has allowed the May and November general bonus reductions, both of which fell since the last thrashing season, to plyIn its judgment, the Court says: — “The employers claimed a greater reduction that the two made by the Court’s general order on two grounds: (a) That the price of new season’s wheat was not guaranteed by the Go•vernment; and (b) that the fanners were unable to pay the present thrashing rates, which were fixed when prices for cereals were higher and more stable.”

After reviewing the wage rates provided by the award, less the'two cuts, the 'Court says : “ On piecework, taking the average working week as 50 hours, the net wage works out at Is 7J per hour and found. . . When the conditions of the work are taken into consideration, it cannot lie said that Is 7 ; jd per hour and found is excessive at the present time. Farmers gave evidence stating that Is (id per hour and found was the ruling rate for ordinary harvest labour in their district, and it seems to us that ljd an hour is not a reasonable margin. We do not think that wages could be reduced much below the amount indicated by the cost of living statistics without unduly affecting the standard of living o ffhe workers. “ Regarding the ability of farmers to pay the thrashing rates, it appears from the evidence that on last year’s rates about 3d a bushel represented wages. It does not seem to us that a reduction of the rates of wages can materially affect the position of 1 armors. If it costs 6d or Is more a bushel to grow wheat limn the sale of the wheat will realise, relief must come from other sources than wages alone. However, other costs arc coming down, and we are inclined to the view that it will bo found that stores, coal, repairs .etc. .will cost less next season than tliev did last season.

“The question of the desirability of New Zealand continuing to grow all the wheat needed for local consumption was discussed, hut we do not think that the matter is one on which we should express an opinion. The granting of subsidies is a matter for the Government and Parliament to decide, fn any event, the financial position of the farmers does not depend on the price of cereals alone. North Canterbury fanners all go in for mixed fanning, and flic prices now obtainable for wool, mutton, lambs, and butter are certainly higher than it was generally expected they would lie. Fanners will naturally grow what it best pays to grow, and although thrashing mill owners will he prejudicially affected, if loss wheat and other cereals are grown, we are satisfied. that a severe reduction in mill workers’ wages would not materially affect the situation, am! it would• inflict undue hardship on the men. For these reasons we have decided not to reduce the rates of remuneration below the rates now payable under the award.”