THE REDUCED BONUS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1922, Page 4

THE REDUCED BONUS.

ITS RECEPTION BY WORKERS. DIVERGENCE OF OPINION. FEELING IN WELLINGTON. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. There is divergence of opinion in Labor circles on the question of the Arbitration Court’s pronouncement with regard to the reduction of the cost of living bonus. While some trades unionists arc inclined to view the amount of the reduction ae being reasonable there arc others who contend the Court has inflicted an injustice on the general body of workers, as they consider any decline that may have taken place in the cost of living according to the Government Statistician’s figures is not appreciable to an extent justifying the lowering of wages at the present time. Something in the nature of criticism of the workers’ representative on the Court (Mr. M. J. Reardon) was made by a trades union secretary who opposes the Court’s pronouncement. He expressed great surprise that the workers’ representative was apparently with the Judge of the Court as far as the decision was concerned, and that it was' the representative of the employers who had protested. The general order of the Court giving effect to the reduction of the bonus takes effect as from May 15. Before the employers reduce wages, however, they have to give notice of their intention to do so. On the other hand unions working under awards who wish to claim exemption from the order must apply to the Court and it is likely numerous applications for exemption will be filed.

AN APPEAL RECOMMENDED. Christchurch, May 9. An appeal against the bonus judgment is advocated by Mr. McCombs, who appeared for the unions at the hearing, on the grounds that the judgment was not given on the evidence submitted, but introduced new matter, to which the workers’ representatives had no opportunity of replying.