LOWER WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1922, Page 5

LOWER WAGES.

A GENERAL REDUCTION. POSITION OF FREEZING WORKERS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The bonus reduction promises to be fairly general ip Christchurch. In the following cases a decision to reduce wages has been come to: Ironmasters, cartage contractors, sawmillers, clothing manufacturers, retail shops, coach and motor body builders, hairdressers, bakers and Aulsebrook .and Co. Question to-day regarding a report that the shearers and freezing works employees are taking a ballot on the question of action in connection with the bonus reduction matter, Mr. Ellis (secretary of the Slaughtermen’s and Allied Trades Union) said nothing available for publication at present. The z men employed at Borthwick s works at Belfast say that no reduction has yet been made, and as the season will last only another month, it is likely the reduction will not be made thia season. A THREAT TO STRIKE. GISBORNE FREEZING WORKERS. Gisborne, Last Night. The employers at the Tokomaru Bay freezing works notified the management to-night that they will refuse io accept a wages reduction in accordance with the Arbitration Court’s pronouncement. They gave notice that if the provision is applied to them they will cease work from mid-night to-night. The manager states that if this attitude is persisted in the works will close down, and will only keep open till the end of next week in any case. AN AMBIGUITY. Dunedin, May 16. Some ambiguity seems to exist as to how the bonus cut will operate on weekly wages, when only part of the week is worked. Dunedin employers take the view that if a man on a weekly wage works only part the weekly cut will be calculated on the hours worked.