THE PLAY & THE PAY

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1475, 25 June 1912, Page 3

THE PLAY & THE PAY

AT PICTURE SHOWS. MUSICIANS' UNION AT IT AGAIN. BEFORE JUDGE SIM. STIMi FAR FROM SATISFIED. Troubles of orchestra players at continuous picture shows bulked largely and interestingly before the Court of Arbitration yesterday. Mr. Justice Sim presided, nmt sitting with him were: Messrs. William Scott (employers' representative) and J. A. M'Cullough (employees' representative). The Wellington Musicians' Union came ( o the Court to seek better rates of wages (more than .Gil per week) for musicians at continuous picture theatres, and who also asked that tho scope of tlws award be extended to a 20-mile radius'from the city.

Mr. H. B. Oakes appeared for the union and Mr. \\. A. W. Grenfell for the employers.

Interesting Dialogue With the Judge.

Mr. Oakes stated that an agreement had been arrived at before a Council of Conciliation, but members of tho union had. declined to abide by this. They wished to still further better their conditions. Ho "would prefer an adjournment to collect further evidence.

In answer to a question by his Honour, Mr. Oakes (for tho Musicians' Union) said ho was prepared to go on "with the case. Tho fact was that the union wanted an increase for. musicians at continuous picture theatres.

Mr. Justice Sim: If an employer hail como here under similar circumstances Iks would have got very short shrift.

Mi'. Oakes stated, by way of reply, tliat his experience of Court had been nil, but lie thought that the Musicians' Union had it right to como to Court for the conditions which they were seeking:.

-Mr. Justice Sim: "Why did you agree? . Mr. Oakes: Because wo got ,i preference clause that wo would not have got if wo came to Court.

Mr. Justice Sim: Exactly, you want to keep tho preference clause, and get something better. If an employer camo into Court after making an agreement you would denounce him as dishonest. The union makes an agreement, and then wants to keep all 'it has got and get more.

Mr. Oakes replied that, if Ins Honourwould look tit the conditions relating to continuous picture shows, ho would see that tho salaries were not fair for musicians compared with those obtaining at other shows.

In answer to his Honour, Mr. Grenfell stated that the Musicians' Union had been before the Conciliation Commissioner by an agent, and the agreement had been one as between the parties. Mr. Justice Sim: That is what the Commissioner reported. If any employer attempted to do what tho union is now doing, tho union would denounce him as dishonest.

Mr. Oakes remarked that they had met tho owners of a continuous picture show (tho New Theatre) in a private conference, and the union's demands were really based.on what liad been agreed upon at that private conference. After the Court had conferred for some time, bis Honour questioned Mr. Oakes as to whether there was any fault to find n;ith the clauses inserted by tho Commissioner, fliul received an answer in the negative. llr. Justice Sim: Do yon admit that you agreed before the [Conciliation] Couiieil 'to all the other clauses? Mr. Oakes: Yes, your Honour. ' After a further roiifcrrnte of i.ho Court, his Honour what was the exact nature of the application by tho Musicians' Union. Mr. Oakes replied by merely stating Hint he understood that nothing that might be done before tho Conciliation Commissioner was binding. Mf. Justice Sim thereupon remarked that the Conciliation Commissioner had no power to bind anyone, but merely existed to make recommendations. But, if all the parties came to an agreement, and then, if the union (unless they liatl been misled), repudiated that agreement, they would have a job to get out of it. If the parties bad agreed, the recommendations ouerht to bo accep!ied, and ornrht to be binding. Mr. Oakes: If they are binding, I will bo bound by them. Mr. Justice Sim: They're not exactly binding. But if an employer did that you would denounce him as dishonest. Mr. Oakes: Tho union said tliat wo should not have given in, your Honour. I take it that,, as an assessor, I had to give and tako a little. What Are Our Chances?—" Not Very Much." Mr. Oakes went on to say that if the Court thought that he should be bound, he was willing to accept tho recommendations. What, however, were the chances ! of success if they pressed the application? Mr. Justice Sim: I am not prepared to say what .tho Court will decide, but, speaking for myself, I should say "Xot very much." If you bring this application before the Court, the emplovcrs will have a chance of re-opening tho. whole agreement. Mr. Oakes then explained that tho Musicians' Union were prepared for that. 'Picture Show Player Retails his Hours, Etc. After.further discussion, it was agreed to proceed with tho application for increased rates of pay at the continuous picture shows, and evidence was called. .0. by MacMahon and Donnelly (New Theatre), stated that he worked 27 hours per week, but, at other picture shows, musicians only played 17.V hours. ' He, however, received only the same pay as musicians at other shows. His hours at MacMahon and Donnelly's were such that they prevented his taking other jobs or enjoying himself by going to dances or attending lectures. Mr. Justice Sim: Although you work only 4} hours a. day? "Witness retorted that he considered that his vocation was special work, and, in point of strain, equal to 9 hours a day at'other employment. He considered it worth ,€5 per week. His Honour (taking a note): Tou consider it worth .£5 a week. What other work do you do? AVitnoss replied that the hours imposed at MacMahon and Donnelly's practically prevented him from doing other ivork. Musicians at "other shows" might take dav work at races, etc. Evidence was also given by T. T. Jov and H. Oliver. Mr. Grenfell called no evidence. Ho remarked, however, that employers were not awaro that the union was' going to take up such an attitude. The Court reserved decision.

GROCERS' ASSISTANTS.

WOUKTXG HOURS. ULTIMATE IDEAL 01,' Till; TJNIO.V rouu iroi'Ks a da v. 11l till' (Ircccvs' .U-ManK' dilute, "\fr. 1.. .). Carey appeared fur the union mid Mi*. \Y. A. \\. (IriMilcll lor eerl'iin of the employers. .A 11 i)«i?Hii'i' about L'CII cmplovers were eileil, iiielmlim; between 40 anil 51) C'liincsi- tr:i<U-i-. 'Pin- union Vor ii new awnri', to Miptr.-rdo Hint. of 1000, wliieli provided for ;i week ot' 52 hours, and » mi n i in ii m waijo of JC2 ss. per week. The demands of I lie uni.m on this oceasinii were lor a week of 51 hours, with I lie usual provisions lor overtime, Sunday work, and holiday- - . In regard to it was asked llml employees ba classed as journeyman assistants and junior and I hat the minimum wa?es lie ,C:i por week and .£2 IDs. per week respectively, while wnties of tarter n-sistunts are to rniijfe from ,t2 15s. to ,t;l per week. Preference was iiskcil for ol=o, two alternative clauses heinj subin it ted. tn opening 1 ho cafe for Ihe union Mr. Oniey -.:iid that there had been no attempt. by Ihe employers at. conciliation. The counter proposal? put. forward asked lor tjie eliminatioa of sevsr.al claujet ia ,

tht> award. Vnt nfjVred rid' lienefi't.s i.n refiiri'i. Tlife tfinployers had siiiiply li.eeu folhnviiig the unwritten ad-vice .oi' 'lie ployiii-a; :\sSoci;iiio:i.

Mr. Scoti: \Y.iiy dr'ji.K the Kmployers' AR<7c'iatHm int'd.ilj at' all. Mr.: Carey said "lie. ijienfi.o.nc'tl it hoca'.ise 'tlie. a--oeiation had sent nv.t a list of . v.-.ritlen' instruction:: that .sh'oiiltf lie followed; Ijy ,assessors: fitting 1 ait Coiicili'i)'ti.oii. t'b.u'n'ciis; jiater' 'Mr, 'C-aii'.V difijiced tn .pu|: iii copi'c's .of pretorence- clauses Krii.ii'fij'i'l .to. Sai'sei" iiiiioits.. wli'6 had: .liever been.'- forcct! . b'eitjre the Cpi'irt, bill his Kiinduivdeelinc'd t;ti. rtifniit .t.hese, remark-. ihfl that t,h.e- '('/oi.U'b w.a.s i'i.ot. cou'Cerive'd. w;ith-. ..agfeeiiieiits- nr.a.tie- under threats of strike or because of funl:-.

-Mr.-Carey f-piitinjieil anii sni.d that the enijiloyees we.ie no. bef.ier oil than wl'ioii tl.i.tS-'.union was formed ill liilll as rojartls hours and ratei of pay'. His llpuour: The hours are .fixed l'. v Ac' of i'avlia-'aen't, ,are. they m>('r

'Mii.-X'Sroy saitt he,was coming: to that, '.ilo.ii.oi!'}:'-: IV'iiiif' are the Ijoiirs .fi'xeif ? 'pi'p.v. 1 : I'iffyrj'ii-fl: par iyepk. 11U-yllonour reiiiarked ' that iho Ccii'rt had* prev.iottsiy,jnt;ina\cl as plainly as jsossilile;' that' it; w.duh.i! hot silfe.r those.

('arev considered if was his duty -to jli'is the Court." llis llo:i.o!ir said, if was quite u'-oless. If they w-'iit- to' Pai'lia.nfpiiii-' ai'itl had their hours fixed; 'why- should they come lo the Ciiiirt and ask; f;c- hettprr

: Mr. i -Carevy siibrititted-. that :B;iriianionf: "»Iy established a bread general principle. ' ■

inquired' what was the'M?e of talkir.;; aboni.. general principles, jyjicnthe ;hours'-.were .Tt'xe.d.

Garey coiiteiided tliat ,it '-was. -tHe; duty of Hie Court to deal: with the question of/hours. ■ 'I'.lie Courfc was' entitled, to . .iiiiralfei''.of.' hours asked : ior.by the uniop and; ■IncaTjorato: the, y."kiST-■ i 11P, l .irs' 'iii: -av'ptxrtici;Far"' sei'.fio.ii pf :lTe cohtendcd that- sjic.li-..fixing:; 0 .fli.ax.ii.iiuih of workiii^-houi'.s or. minimiim ; of ..veiiriy increaso did not' provejit.the:Court .i'rnin aivartlin j a fho'rtcr'. week .-or lar^'er .-i-earlv increase. :■ lie a,so eonteiuied that the iXnrt, ' ,iI T tlio;igh;:it; :iiotippw 'ti'r-:; t all t ;cases ta awaVfl lionrs oi' labour in; e > xcl ''"? 'maximum fixed by., tin; Act,' shot!;d--'nbt;..fdri!t:hat'.' Teasoiv refuse 'to eiir- 1 not more favourable, i\-'least, tho Matute conditions ,of hour?. If the Coiir.t jl.^'.'^ii.h" i .';t.hi^..v'a'ppiication'.''tho'- hours" should nol. be omljoditil In the awhi ; d''fe catise;;.gariiameiit'.='hasrftk?h away, (lie power in that connection, it should far ilie same" rt ason. rel'u.-e to' the '«-««•>» j or juniors' by ncreaws frqih yrN-ir-to - year .'kecau'.-p' /I'uriiameht has 'taken »wa^itho..i>^\vc'4io ; ''S»'tfrtli'lciS : than ii :.c'cr-., tarn yearly, iiiciease. Tho principle was the same all through,, - Jfis llonour said-he' ; .suppo?e<l thev would n° asking theX.'o-virl-to cSernally- rediico' hours and. increase wages. : What was the ultimate ideal,. i 3 hours, -17. hour?, ''.i+v ::v"' :

?- !r /. .thiifc soine would lie satisfied i;jvith, ;.l8 liours. His .: Honour ; Some, not many. .. .^irades : had_.ft- week,.of-« hours. - : ; ; HisfJlonouf-tain '< Wtfi- have "U----hours want: 10. ...., '

Mr. Care.v submitted fliat thc-y wcro onh-.iecl ; ;;to com 6 ,to;the,';CoiiT.t';t6 improvethoir • conditions;J; "W

FHs Honour: fe, y 0 ;i; aro entitled to. Vn 1 •sC°ur.t"'iS dpeii-'iyou. :are entitled ,to come to ;it.-: "C' v After .further discussion, his Honour asked;- jftthe. union would be 'satisfied: when; they got 43 hours. a week.. .. i'" ■■ ■' . Carey: replied they' would b'a &af, isnea;.whe»i^<hcir^honrsvvfTO A icd'uoM i »fo. what was sufficieut; to. produce the.wealth necessary'for the\:comniunity. : .''if ■ • '■ V His. Honour: Four -hours'si' day. I sifri-. pose? e v-'.y

Jtr. ; jCarey.(saidx.Ko;.TOs?iidb ;l VpMiticivl:: economist, but ho believed-that ;if thecountry : : were ditions properly regulated that four hours' •work-;:.a))?.. (iay^byj;;;'.t lio - >■/ ■> ajd.iil f.. - p 6p\ila t ibii< ;»V-i•:*

His' Honour: It depends how they wortc. Mr. Carey: Jt; woi;ld bs an : incentive, to them- to :y,o ?' ■y?, ■

Afteivreferriiigdo Vano'us; pji ascs '6-jFthe questi6iiv\;of.'vlimitatioh" appyentiees: His Honour:' Have you any new Sight to tll^p^V:j;On;th , P•^SUbjc , ct'?l! ,:, : v ' •' Mr^Carey-i'.NbVV'..-.;' I ''V'- /

H !s:Ho iioi ii':»-.iiY e} i ,'- it; i s Tio ii?P' 'ljringing the subject up unless you have something new. Mr. Carey'.said the union -.ras r<l opinion .Jthat;.;pojiiethi'tig;,■.sjroii'ld' : -dphe, land thought that by pe.riisting they nould aehicve. soiiicj.hiiig. His Honour .remarked that an agent at len^t : siionldili,:playsDmotoiiinion'?rns(>.: Mr. Ciirey . said he had u?ed his Honour's argunicnts Ho the union,, but. they desired Vdiirii ■ Honour said that; it" a union would not ho'.slio.uli'. not

StibseriuciiHy, • Mr, -Carey called a hrnr number of. witnesses in support of -Ins case/,:VrW:'t:':S : '\y '• v'.. ■'r-7

Mr,'>Grenfell ca]led -a riiunboii'iD'f witnesses for. the. employer.-, -and afterwards addressed the Court.. . He said, the c:iiployers^qlferbd.;:'' ns. previously, 'old-i award.-. • AYith regard to the qiif.-,tfoh of hours,, lie was. ghul.to see.!thc Court was■ prepared' to 1 ieave-\the- - nia tt er ;a s ■ fixedby the Legislature.-.. He felt sure "that the Court would .exclude '.any classification from" tKe-ftwanli-'^s^ to justify it, .The evidence of both sides showed ith'at;':the.-gre'a^ ants wore being-'paid .mure than the reini--11111111. v.age according, to their. ability, ar.d the present mi iii inuiii w ; .a s'; (lie- true minimum, . After referring to the.cosiditiOiis on the - other, side: ami comparing them to those in Hie Dominion. Mr. GretiieH. submitted, that neither , Mr. Carey -nor the union had sliowii- fea-toi! ibr; '.anr : change of rondi.tions. . The .employers were entitled to have a renewal of' the old> aiviifdv;' : ol)jccf#: tti -tlie: preference eiaiiso for several reasons which ho named.. ■- ; --- ■ .After Mr.- Carey had replied, the four! reserved drclsioii, ami adjourned until tfl a.m. to-day.-7 ';■'■ '''''.■

MERCHANT service guild.

OF OEt'ICKHS. Ment-oi! pf..tiie.'MercU'aiit Service Guild dispute ■ \vai -.made before the Cour; :pf: .Aibitration.ye.-teiday; Captain J). .1. Watson (secretary) appearing tor tlia guild. The Conci 1 iatioii-(I'o.ii' 11 ci ?iiiitl:.'iriin(l6: .res. coninieiH!atipns';(a]i;ead AvJiiJjh-. hail Ijecn ;accepted;,..;.biii.. tlie .q.uesi.ion. of. hours. 61 work w;as (ijiened i:j> ye-tcf.day bet'oro the .Court.- ".;. ■?' '~ ^1 . ., . , ■ , Cap.tauiyJVa,tioh.-,iiic'fliftd' 'Mai the. cbn'-siriictiou.-'put upon some of the clauses was nofc tlio'.guild ihad UTiderstood. In vegar-:]. to.'.th'o. ivee'c -of oSi houiv, an eight hours' day Sis.'.asked; for, as. in the past' iiifin luutvlfi andvlS hours-'a tloy. His--]ronqiU--reniai.-ked th it l.hn.t s.eei.iicd revolutiona'K'.yl ; 'j : Captaiii \\;at>oh said he thought the eight hours' dr.y wa>: u'.iivorsal now iii this cpunffy -aisd.'.iVifttraiia; An' nw'ar.d. liy the jCoiiiiiion\TO\lt!i. , Court proviiird t'or 'the siVine t liiiig. .{ ]Jis. Honour:. Is thai iii force? Captain AVatscin said it was operating at the''prgseiit; ;Siiiitliy'. ivlio apjieared for the ITriion (.'onijiaiiy. am! the liht.ckbal! t-'oal ConVpauy, .stated fimf. a. ivi-it of proi hibiiion had been gnuitcd by. the lligli t'ouri oi' Ausiraiia jicndin;; an a'pjiftii; The einployer.-, .'hpiy.;?vei:i.. liad agreed,. t:p pay the-wages inyic'r .1 h'i'.eai' (if a. .-i!fike. Mr. Biiutli..';!!sn replied;,/'.tp pt'liyr sta.ie'-., infillU.i>l ■"AN'-iit>6ni.. ' v • '....' .Mr. .Cen'-;itliy; repre.-eiitin:,' Hie Hud-dari-H.iirker J'rinu-ietary t onipaiiy. I-til.. as|;cd thai ihe j.;isiv should iii; exempted* true) <]'.!■ . ;uv.aril, ■as Uu- ynyages. of tllo .stc;imer.-> be|an ami ended in Autralia. '■ . ■ Capla.'in AVii'tspii .jioi'itifd ontv that' i'lic sli'aniers. carried-' .Jiii'd from iMli:t'4>V' lK'i't iis .New Ze;iln'.!(|.. ' llis ' llonouf >a!d thai 'the r-onipiiny could .ii; 'liar.! ;.%* \yiilr a'.. .no.te : to the' !efl'ectf';ihfii ! = tiji.t'ii: iteaiuers. liviujiy :rip- iieginniug ar.d eiuliivg in .\::-!r:ilia. 'I'llL- Cvuii't jit A ;siiii.j-' ; lar ca r ! j. v, iia!:-v( 1 its cl'icct, would the!! bind them;- i.,. Mr. \V. Ay:-K]avoil, oii liclialf of the' We-lport Coal l.'ohipany, osk'e'd. iliat ihe steaiuef.:,:l!( l g'uTu,s,' .vhicii was under IH'S) tons. VeStefe of -feiiiVil'rir■: (lescriptioii.'(j\vned ; . jiy ("ItC Maoriiaiid .Steamsh.ijr (.'i),ill:|)'ii.n'y liad !ve.e.n' : cxeni|ifcjb' : Capfiiiji, \Val>ni!. W.n.uld ,i,ipi., tpthis, and 'his . Hon'Si.r Held, fha'.t tli<> cxt .1 emptioit.'. eo.u'Uv not. be grant'e'dj. -.is; il ha'd,.' nol bee.u- ineiiliiVncsi. be.lVire t'.lie'. C.pn'ii.ili.v tion t'e.'mcil. . . : Decision im the utlie;- poinl..-. \vjis rest rved.

PLASrCRMRV AW \RL).

All n.w:vr<l for 1 a .pni.-isid' nf six :ninii(.h--i*o« JUUfht bv l|i» \Vcllisiyfisii'. PU ««•»!•♦' •I'aioa in o'rior tkat 4t i!ie siid ii'f .IJiat

fimp ti:o whole of tl:o l>:u!itfi-cr 1 rate coiflij sccure uniformity of hour.:. The ' ay.'n.rd sought was practically a renewal oi the prpsp.nt; one, will.} -minor a.dd-i.lion<>:. -\ll'. Iv. , Kennedy :>■ jitioof.oi ! (lift un'io.n, .iin.d Mr. \Y. A." \Y : . Grciifdil for the employers. ■ It appeared that tlvti parties hail eo.mo 1;p tfn'.a'srcchicn't before a C.pivciiiat.io.n Council, but' tiin ease was : .called yesterday, as Mr. ■tirdnl'eil desired nifcrnti^ti? Mr. Kennedy said lie wosild sooner have (lib wjlole cask struck ou.t rather than have .i.ny alteration. ] .Decision was reserved,