EXEMPTION SOUGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1931, Page 2

EXEMPTION SOUGHT

BY BUILDERS’ LABOURERS.

(By Telegraph —Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 7

The Arbitration Court was engaged to-day in hearing an application on behalf of the builders’ labourers’ unions, Wellington, Dunedin, New Plymouth and Auckland, for exemption from the Court’s general order lor iu per cent cut in wages.

The application was based on the following special grounds: (1) That rates of wages now payable to labourers under the award do not provide- an adequate living wage, nor a- reasonable living standard; '(2) that rates of wages do not give a .reasonable return from the proceeds of industry; <3O that it is possible for the industry to pay a higher rate than than now specified by the award, without facing undue restriction on industry; (4) that the general order adversely affects to a greater extent the genera’ labourers in comparison with all other workers covered by the general order; (5) that because economic and social influences, over which the Court has nq control or jurisdiction, have already reduced the wages of workers covered by the award.

Mi’ P. M, Butler, for the Union said that some months ago a census was taken of its members, and from the total of 967 replies, it was learned that the average weekly wage wa,s £ 10s, and the average rent was £1 10s 6d. The cost of living figures, were quoted, and these showed that the minimum amount necessary for bare existence was £4 12s 6d. The'igcneral order had -reduced the possible weekly earnings to £3 F2 S 7d. 111 addition, the work was of a casual nature. j\|r Mountjoy, for the employers, submitted that no special ground had arisen warranting the Court exempting the workers cone rned. Other workers in the building trade had been subject to the 10 per cent cut, and it was submitt d that the economic conditions affected all building trades in a similar manner. It was considered by the employers that the conditions clearly disclosed that the industry could not provide means which they did not possess.