ARBITRATION COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2238, 15 November 1907, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT.

WAITERS AND BUTCHERS’ CASES.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 14

When the Arbitration Court met to-day it was stated a conference had failed to arrive at an amicable agreement in the cooks’ and waiters’ dispute. It was arranged that the Court shall hear the dispute to-inorrow. Mr Prvor, for tlio employers, said he had been told the Union intended calling a great number of witnesses whose absence from employment to attend Court threatened serious inconvenience. Mr. Carey, for the Union, said it was intended to minimise the inconvenience as far as possible. Mr. Justice Sim said success did not depend on the number of witnesses called, but on tlie force of their arguments.

The Court proceeded to hear the dispute between tlio Butchers’ Union and their employers. The Union asked for “dry” pay instead of so much per week and found. Wages asked for represented an increase 'all round of five shillings per week. _ This rise was asked because of the increase in the cost of living. Mr. Brown asked what “dry” pay included. Mr. Cooper said the men asked for 5s worth of meat, but were willing to accept 5s in cash instead. The Union also asked for reduction of hours from 56 to 50 per week. Five witnesses gave evidence on behalf of the Union’s claims, and two on behalf of country employers.*,.Mr. Grenfell, for the employers, said first shopmen were now receiving equal to £3 15s per week, whilst the lowest ■ paid adult except drivers out got equal to £2 10s , The employers asked that first shopmen should receive £3, second £2 10s, small goods men £2 15s, general hands £2 Is, and riders out if over 21 years of age £1 2s 6d. They . also wanted an allowance of 5s worth of meat to apply only to married men. Fifty-six hours weekly were necessary to carry on this business. The employers'objected strongly to preference to unionists.

Five witnesses were heard, and His Honor intimated that the further hearing of the case would be taken at Napier and Palmerston, commencing at Palmerston on the 22nd inst.