RISING WAGES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 27, 27 October 1920, Page 7

RISING WAGES

0 *- ONE INCREASE LEADS TO ANOTHER 'Sr TelesraDh-Prew Aseocl&tlon.' Christchurch, October 2G. Criticism of the demands by 'employees in one centre for any increased wages obtained by similar workers in another centre was made at to-day's, sitting of the Arbitration Court. Mr. C. Itenn, 011 behalf of the traction and stationary engine-drivers, _ applied 'I'or an award of the Court fixing Canterbury drivors' wages at the rateofl7e. (first-class), and 16s. (second-class) a day, the terms recently conceded lo Auckland drivers He said that since the Court's (jisborne pronouncement some industries had got large increases in wages, and this application was based on the ground, that tho Auckland drivers' agreement fixed ■ tho wages of the industry. The present Canterbury award was overloaded with bonuses, making the rate of, overtime very little above tho normal rate. Mr. 0. H. Scott, the employers' representative, said that the unions, appeared to bo watching the awards made throughout tho Dominion, and as soon as a now one was obtained, say in Auckland, the other centres would apply under the War Regulations Act to be placed on the same fc-nting. The Court would hnvo nothing else to do but to. deal with those various applications, lie would strenuously oppose the principle. Mr. Renn said tho Court itself had given' the lead to the workers. Ho belioveil that before the Court sat again in Christchurch thero would be many applications made for tho increased wages and bonuses. . , The Court reserved its decision. His Honour later intimated that tho Court was hoping to get Dominion awards moro simplified, and ho had already made pertain suggestions to secure that result. PUKEMtRO MINERS RESUME ■ J By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, . October 2G Tho Pukemiro mine opened according to agreement this morning, but full staffs of neither miners nor enginedrivers aro at work yet, and the company will not know until to-morrow how things aro Actually going. No more trouble this side of Christmas is anticipated, as far as can bo gathered, in any of tho mines, and it6hould.be a matter of only a few months before tho longexistent- local shortage of coal is eased considerably. At the presont time there seems to b% no fear of another suspension of any local services unless some unforeseen dispute brings more trouble.