ARBITRATION COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2773, 17 May 1916, Page 3

ARBITRATION COURT

DRIVERS' DISPUTE

Principal business before the Court of Arbitration yesterday was the drivers' dispute, in wnich evidence is to be heard in diltereut centres of the Dominion. His Honour Mr. Justice Stringer presided, and tho other members of tho Court were: Messrs. W. Scott (employers' representative) and J. A. M'Cuilough (employees' representative). Mr. A. i'urlane, wiln Messrs. 11. Hun-, ter, G. Davis, and J. Walker, appeared' for the union, while Mr. W. i'rvur, with Messrs. W. A. W. Grenfell and T. Munt, appeared for tho employers. Application tor exemption was made by the Union Steam Ship Company, but was opposed by the union, and the Court reserved its decision upon the point. Tho demands of the union are for a week of hours, in place of 48, as at present, with a daily, instead of a weekly, computation of time, and provision for a weekly half-holiday. The union also asks for a different form of timebook, so as to guard against the possiblo evasion of payment for overtime. Wages for drivers are asked for as follow:—For those driving one horse, £3 per week; for thoso driving two horses, Gs.; for more than two horses, Is. per day extra for each additional horse. For motor-ve-hicle drivers the following wages are asked :—Car not exceeding lOcwt. capacity, .£3 55.; not exceeding SOcwt, £3 10s.; over 30cwt., .£3 15s. Casual drivers to be paid Is. 6d. per hour and 2s. overtime. Limitation of the number of youths, with increased wages and a reduction of hours, is asked for, and an increase in overtime rates is sought, from Is. 3d. to 2s. an hour. Length evidence was tendered yesterday in support of the union's case, but Mr. Pryor did not trouble tho Court at tho present stage with evidence on behalf of the employers. The case was opened some Hnie ago in Auckland, and evidence is to be heard later at Dunedin, Invercargill, and Christcliureh.. • In tho meantime the Court reserves its decision in order that a uniform award should be made to apply to the whole of the Dominion. MARINE ENGINEERS. Application was made by the Australasian Institute of Marino Engineers, Wellington Branch, for a new award to apply to engineers in the employ of the Union Steom Ship Company. Mr. T. R. .Wallace appeared for the institute and Mr. W. A. Kennedy for tho company. It was explained that an agreement had been arrived at, to remain in operation until March 31,1919. Wages increases of 15 per cent, all round aro provided 1 for, also an increase of the victualling allowance from 7s. and ss. to lis. and 7s. per day. Annual holidays are to begin and end at tho engineer's home port. An extra day's sea pay shall bo allowed when a vessel is engaged on an excursion on a Sunday or any public holiday, or departs from port on a Sunday or public holiday, except in the caso. of bar harbours or delay due to unfavourable weather. The Court agreed to make an award on the lines of the agreement.