Judge Defends Arbitration Court Against Criticism

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 168, 6 October 1927, Page 11

Judge Defends Arbitration Court Against Criticism

Not Proceeding “On Some Mad Principle' WAGE INCREASES EXPLAINED Increases in awards Hava left the impression that the Arbitrat on Court was proceeding “on some mad principle” of raising wages unsystematically. This impression Mr. Justice F-razer took occasion to demo ish in the court this morning. “There is a great deal of criticism of the court by people who obviously know less than nothing abcut it.” was the stinging remark with which his Honour concluded. The question arose out of the Auckland Provincial Local Bodies’ Labourers’ award. ’The court does not trouble its head officially about newspaper criticism mostly based on ignorance of the position.” said his Honour. ‘The Arbitration Court, however, had been subject to widespread musunderstanding. Since tlie end of 192.. when the cost cf living legislation became inoperative, any increase or reduction in wages could only be put into operation as awards expired, so that any general increase or reduction might take as long as thre e years to apply to some awards. “One criticism,” continued Mr. Justice Frazer, “was that the court had been increasing wages in every award in every instance. That seemed tc b© the impression. Actually the court in September, 1925. two years ago, decided to increase the basic wage. There Had been no increase whatever to existing rates other than that consequent on the application of the pronouncement of September, 1925. “One might say that any increase since that date was due then, but could only be paid as the awards expired. “The court,” stated his Honour, “lmd not proceeded on some mad principle of raising wages unsystematically. “When the court fixed that basic rate it knew that the country would have to meet periods of depression. The minimum rate was fixed as a sum which could be paid in any ordinary time though at other times it might seem too high or too low. It was preferable that the basic wage should be settled and certain over a period in the interests of household commitments and forward contracts. “The court did not take any notice of outside criticism, but when the question came before it officially it could take the opportunity of clearing up any misunderstanding .”