WAGE CUT ORDERED

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1931, Page 6

WAGE CUT ORDERED

bt federal court

TEN PER CENT. FOR ALL UNIONS

(Australian Press Association)

MELBOURNE, January 22

Foi reasons of national emergency, the Commonwealth Arbitration Court, to-dav ordered a reduction of ten per cent, in the wagee oi' the members ol : all unions, including basic wageearners as well as those receiving rates above the basic wage, but the Court refused to make any alteration in the basic wage generally, or in (he method of calculating it without a further inquiry. The Court’s order operates for 12 months, as from February Ist, or for a longer period if necessary.

The shearers and the woolpressers, whose wages were recently reduced, are exempted from the reduction.

A scene occurred alter the judges had left the bench, when Union advocates and a group of Union officials expressed their disgust, somebody shouting: “They ought to be shot!’’ Then, after the singing of “The Red Flag,” cheers were given for a Labour Revolution.

ANOTHER CUT COMING

MELBOURNE, January 22,

The Federal Arbitration Court’s judgment in favour of a ten per cent, reduction of the basic wage lias caused considerable stir and unrest among those unionists who are covered by Federal ' awards. They include the railway men, the maritime workers, the carpenters, timber workers, metal workers, coachmakers, saddlers, metal ing operatives, food preserving, employees, professional officers, the Merchant Service Guild, and a number of minor organisations.

The Commonwealth Statistician, Mr C, H. Wickens, says that the Court’s older means an annual reduction ot nearly thirty million sterling in the National Salary Bill, which was three hundred millions last year. The Statistician adds that the total national dividend, including wages, was 598 millions last year. In addition to the ten per cent, cut a yet further substantial reduction m the basic wage takes place almost immediately. consequently on the falling of the cost of living figures, which figures automatically apply to the Federal basic wage. The Federal 'basic wage ! in the several capitals on November Ist was as follows: Sydney, 88s per week; Melbourne 83e; Brisbane, 70s 6d; Adelaide, 78s; Perth, 795; Hobart, 82s.

THE COURT’S EXPLANATION

MELBOURNE, January 22

1h course of a long judgment on tin? basic wage, the Federal Arbi trillion Court pointed out that an emergency had arisen, calling for a readjustment in all directions, and notably in the costs of government, the costs of production and services, Tn rents, dividends and interest. It was remarked: "AH must adapt themselves to the fundamental fall in the national income and in the national wealth, and to our changed relationship with other countries.”