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Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1931, Page 4

The wage adjustment by the Arbitration Court in respect to the flax-mill-ing industry is creating naturally widespread interest. It has to he borne in mind that the decision is really of a tentative nature, and mastand for .six months only, after which it is open for either party to ask for a. fresh review of the situation. At the same time an important precedent is made, and puts the Court in something of a new light. Hitherto it has followed a more east-iron rule than the President now shows a disposition to adhere to. The general attitude of the Court did not find favour with the employers as a whole, and there has been a wide-spread request to suspend or abolish the awards of the Court during the present reign of depression. On the other hand, labour interests have shown a distinct disposition in favour of the maintenance of the Court functioning as;heretofore. It will Ibe difficult therefore for organised labour to fall ouit with the Court because of one adverse verdict, while employers who will see merit in the present stand of the Court, will he disposed to revise thenantagonistic attitude. At the same time the decision reached is entirely that of the President. The employer and labour representatives advanced their views for the consideration of the President, but in what was no doubt a verv carefully considered judgment, Justice Fraser gave rerisons for his line of thought and ultimate decision. It was of course a substantial reduction in the minimum wage. The drop of one-third, from 15s to 10s goes back to the range of wages of many years ago, and must affect the general view regarding warms. It is not certain by any means that the industries can expect a similar favour, for in reality the Arbitration Court stands as the safest bulwark for labour interests. Each case will he judged on its merits, and in relation to its special conditions. Justice Fraiser’s decision in the fk'x industry is notable because it is not a compromise decision, but a definite i-esolve on the facts as viewed by the President of the Court. He declined to make a half-way cut to temporise on the situation, nor would he agree to a sliding scale because that condition would create perhaps fabe hopes. The definite conclusion reached supplies finality for the six months period, and in the interim the effect can he judged and the parties can study the change in actual practice. It was no doubt wise on the whole to pursue such a course and will be the surest way to reach a reasoned decision in

the end. The circumstances will have their effect on wages generally, because the need for a. decline lias now been enforced legally, hut each crue will he dealt with 011 its merits. The Court is not likely to play fast and loose with the question of wages. Aliy demands for revision of awards as they fall out must have merit to satisfy the Court, and secure any advantage, so that the worker continues to be safeguarded to the limits of the law, and that i,s a fair position in which to stand.