DOMINION ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1931, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS

, GENEROUS LABOUR POLICY. 'by Telegraph—Per Tress Association) CHRISTCHURCH, June 2. In addition to restoring the cut imposed on wages of employees not governed by awards, the Christchurch City Council will not impose the ten per reduction indicated by the Arbitration Court on employees who are governed by awards. “The Court’s ruling was merely permissive’’ said Mr J. McCombs, Chairman of the Finance Committee, to-day. The Rack pay to the first class of workers amounts to £SOO. RESERVED JUDGMENT. V,ALDINGTON, June 2. In a reserved judgment increasing the annuity to his widow in the estate of George 'Winder Ironmonger, from £"300 to £6OO during the continuance of her widowhood only, the Chief Justice (Sir M. Myers) said the principle in these cases did not seem to have been laid down in the matter of the general application in New Zealand. In his opinion the obligation of family protection was not imposed upon. The testator was to make adequate provision for the proper maintenance and support for his widow and not for her maintenance and support after she had become the wife of another man. If the widow elected to change her status and become the wife of another he did not see it could be said it was the duty of the Court under the statute to make provision out of the testator’s estate and relieve the obligation of the new husband at the expense of the testator, residuary legatees or others whom lie intended to benefit by his will. UNMPLO YED DEPUT AT lON. WELLINGTON. June 2. Replying to a deputation from the Wellington Unemployment Committee to-day the Labour Minister (Hon S. G. Smith) said that the Lands Department at present is carrying out a complete investigation into the position of abandoned farms and when this is completed farms would he thrown open for selection by unemployed. He hoped to make an announcement in a day or two in regard to fhe whole position.