NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 630, 6 October 1909, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

lUY Tclceroph.—Pres« Ae>octation!r - , "' — .'t SALARY OR WAGES. ';■{"', AN IMPORTANT. JDIJGMENT.:: . / ' Auckland, October s.^'■< v The Arbitration Court .decided to-day thai tlio masters of tho Aucldand Harbour Board's dredger ■ and tug Awhina ■■ are not ordinary workers, but otlicials; and therefore-are not' liable-to bebiought within'the scope of.the shipmasters' award. . The Inspector: of Awards • proceeded against the board for employing the master.of- the dredge at' loss remuneration'than that provided by the award in respect to 6iich vessels. Tho facts.were admitted, oxcopl that- tho board paid a bonus to the masters ol their vessels. Argument.hinged: upou' whethei the' masters wore officials or ordinary employ- '■'. ees. Mr. Mays, ; for, the pr'osocution,, referred to a recent decision of the,Court'of Appeal in tho case of the Duncdin painters' award, which found that the Court of Arbitration had power to bind tho employees'of any municipal corporation or harbour board by an award'unless they were officials within,the meaning of the. Act. .. Mr. M'Veagh, fot" \the Harbout Board, argued that 'the: remuneration paid to, tho, masters in question was undoubtedly"sal-' ary, whilo they themselves we're officials of the te a I d -^ Mr - J H stico S'm said the Court'held-' that the appointment of the tng-raaster-must bo treated as an appbintment by tho Harbour Board; and that an officer so appointed: was' not subject at all to the jurisdiction of the.Ar--"•' •bitration Court. Although tho remuneration was spoken of as wages, it was really salary, the Uurt therefore had no power to bind'the' Harbour- Board by any such award,'no proof' having, been supplied with' regard'. to the'appointment of tho master of the dredge JudS-' me.nt was given. for defendants; His Honour allowed the Harbour Board five guineas costs.

.'reductions' of 'working, time.", plain words by. judge; sim. •'. a*. '«. '" i-i-L v Auckland, October s.-> At the Arbitration .Court,- thb' waterside 'workers, applied for a.new award'amendini- ; that of 1907. The union asked'for a'Saturday' : aftemoon half-holiday, .. all work inch/to" be paid at oyertime-rates. : "Mr.- Justice -Sim said the Court did; not.compel. men'-to wort if they did not want.to. The constant-attempt-to' ie: duco the hours, of labour was' simplv absurd ) the next application would be for no work at all 'on Saturdays., If,either side-wanted .an', alteration of tho award, it would hnve to show good fcauio. lhe continued demend for alteration was.co'ntemptiblo. Mr. Collctt, tho.workers'-ropresen-' tativo, - said the coso should never have co-ne bofore tho Court; The Judge: T quite'nV-'tt with you. - Decision was' adjourned. ;. ',' ;■ , ; , TOMOANA'S CARGO, ,',-,... ' -. ... „.'.'■ /Auckland, October 5.;.' Included in the. cargo of the' Tysor steamer' ■iomoana which sailed for London this afternoon,' valued ;"ot about JE20,000, j..'SS c f ? f 'H n 5 Sum, ,100. casks of. tallow,: and 250. bales of flax and tow.- , v.'