ARBITRATION COURT AWARD.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 40, 18 November 1913, Page 3

ARBITRATION COURT AWARD.

. GREYMOUTH, Nov. 15. The Arbitration Court's decision in the Reefton goldfields dispute is for the most part based on an old award. A memorandum to the award states that both parties desired various alterations in the clauses relating to the working of the hammer drills withdrawn, which it was hoped would enable them to carry on without further friction. The clause relating to contracting has -been redrawn to make declaratory merely of the company's right to agree to have any work done by contractors outside the award. There is no jurisdiction to restrict or interfere with that right. Overtime for the first hour has been increased to time and aquarter. Double time has been done on Sunday after the full shift has been worked. A new clause has been framed dealing with the subject of matters not orovided for in the award. The wages of workers affected bv the award have been carefully considered and an increase has been granted in most cases. No distinction has been made between w<ages to be paid bv the New Big River Company and other companies although the conditions of life on the Big River field might have justified a difference being made. The court is of the opinion that ihe Big River Company should do something to ameliorate ,tnelot of the workers on that field by I providing suitable houses for them to flive in and by fof prompi Imedic'a] assistance vrhm requirw.