BOOT TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1927, Page 3

BOOT TRADE

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, September ii. i.i me Arbitration Court to-day, -Mr T. O. Bishop, representing the Dominion boot manufacturers, opposed the application of the Boot Opertivcs' Union for ail increase in wages and a restriction of piecework in their new award. Air A. Watts appeared tor the Union. Decision was reserved in the point of exempting T. Davenport, heel builder.

The question of preference of employment, piecework, materials, wages overtime, and classification were also in dispute. The Preference Clause had been in operation lor seme years, arul this principle should not ho disturbed, said Air Watts. They asked for tlm prohibition of piecework, or else the permission of if only in eases where a permit was issued by the Local Advisory Board, lire present piecework system was marked by injustice. The removal 1 of the anomaly of requiring workers to provide tools was asked for. The hoot operatives were entitled to higher wages. In England the wages paid had increased by 100 per cent., and in Australia, by 120 per cent, since 1012. In Now Zealand, the male wages had advanced only G2 per cent., and the. female wages 7G per cent. They asked also that the boot industry should be held to be a skilled industry and that a- 40 hour week should ho giveli the female workers.

The value of the manufactures last year had been £1,225,098, and the cost of production ,£1.099,087, said Al.r Bishop. The gross profit, was therefore 10.7 per cent, on the £750,000 which was invested in the industry. Out of the interest now the capital cost of the J.itid, plant and building, income tax and overhead charges had to lie met, and the profit was low. For tho year ended March 31 1925, the time lost by 203 male employeeys was 25,888 hours and by 108 female employees was 7215 hours. The average mini her of hours lost per week per employees affected was 9.94 for males and 10.29 for females. The amount of lost time this year would be very much greater than has 'been The (case in the previous years. Tho industry coui'd not stand twelve days annual holiday on full pay for workers, as the Union asked. The Union had also asked for the prohibition of piecework. The employers had asked for entire freedom in the matter. The Court reserved its decision.