NOT TO BE STULTIFIED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 236, 5 October 1928, Page 8

NOT TO BE STULTIFIED.

ARBITRATION COURT'S STAND

STANDARDISED AWARDS.

FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE,

"We must adhere to the ruling that the Court cannot stultify itself by having its previous award torn up without some very good reason." This fact was impressed upon parties involved in the Dominion Freezing Works dispute, when its hearing was commenced at the Arbitration Court yesterday by Mr. Justice Frazer. The initiative in moving for a new agreement was taken by the employers, but, despite frequent -conferences and conciliation proceedings, practically every point raised for review was referred to the Court for settlement. His Honor pointed out that it was idle for the Court to attempt to go through such a complicated and technical dispute as that covering the freezing industries and achieve complete satisfaction, and sent the parties back for a further conference. The emplovers are seeking a renewal of the existing award, with minor amendments covering overtime and the transportation of workers to their places of employment, the exclusion of watchmen from the provisions of the agreement, and a clear definition of work in connection with the "bobby" calf industry. On the other hand, the workers are pressing for generally improved conditions and wages increases, the principal of which asks that all piecework rates be increased by 10 per cent, and all time workers' rates from .2/1 an hour to 2/6 an hour. It is further claimed that rates for strippers should be advanced from 2/2 to 2/5, and' boners' rates at lOd per quarter for beef and 9d for "bobby" calves.

Advice From the Bench. "Before we commence with the hearing of this dispute I want to say we are rather sorry the Conciliation Council was not more successful in getting some of the disputed points settled," said his Honor. "We have had a rule which dates back to Mr. Justice Sim's time that the Court will not deal with claims for an excessive number of variations to awards which have become more or less standarised, as the present award is. "I don't suggest one side or the other is to blame for the fact that the Conciliation Council has not been able to settle more of the points in dispute, but, now that we have you all here, the Court proposes to ask you to confer again, with a view to trying to narrow down the issues. I take it that both sides nave a considerable number of repre;sentatives who are able to make binding decisions. Is that so ?" he asked. Mr. W. E. Sill, advocate for the union, replied in the affirmative. Mr. F. V. Sanderson, employers' representative, said the parties respected the decision of the Court. Conferences with the workers' representatives, however, had been held both before and after conciliation proceedings, but it had been found impossible to arrive at any settlement. The employees were prepared to make yet another attempt to reduce the number of claims. Theirs were only of a minor nature, except one relating to the killing of young calves. Mr.'Justice Frazer: That is more or less a new matter, and the Court will probably review it.

Success of Conference. When the Court resumed in the afternoon, Mr. Justice Frazer complimented the parties on having settled so many of the points in dispute. The progress reported was very satisfactory. He was pleased so many issues had been cut out and only the essentials left in. It made the task of the Court so much lighter, and was more satisfactory to the parties. J Mr. Sanderson said the employers were asking the Court to provide not only for the exigencies of train services, but also for the exigencies of any other transport service.

Alfred Suter, superintendent of works, said that 00,000 "bobby" calves had been killed this season at the works of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company He enumerated the duties of a slaughterman in respect to "bobby" calves. Money had been lost on this industry last year, and for that reason the price for boning had been reduced from 7d to 6d. Further evidence was given by Alfred Nathaniel Williams, manager of the Patea Farmers' Freezing Company. He said he considered stunning should be part of the slaughterman's work. Mr. Sill first raised the question of ram-lambs. These were now coming forward in such numbers that slaughtermen were entitled to higher wages for the extra work involved in the killing and dressing. The "bobby" calf indus" try was now well established and prosperous. The union suggested that, in order to avoid disputes the classification of "bobby" calves should be by weight and not by age. He contended that no overtime should be less than time and a-half, and for chamber hands it should be double time. Evidence was given that the "bobby" calves were bigger this year than last, and yet the rate for boning had been reduced from 7d to 6d. Several witnesses gave evidence as to the comparative condition in the industry in other parts of New Zealand and as to the wage received. "Bobby" calves came in weighing about 541b dressed, and one witness said he had handled one weighing 751b. Mr. Sanderson pointed out the union was asking double rates for ram-lambs. Everything was being done to reduce the number of ram-lambs. The employers earnestly desired that the award should expire on June .30, and that its term should be two years. Mr. Sill asked that the award should expire in October and should be for twelve months only. This closed the case.