FLAXMILLERS’ AWARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1294, 8 September 1914, Page 3

FLAXMILLERS’ AWARD.

AUTOMATIC SCUTCHING

A conference of representatives of the employers and employees, convened by the New Zealand Flaxraillers’ Association, was held at Foxton yesterday, for the purpose of endeavouring to come to an agreement as to the rate of pay to be paid for scutching, where the recently patented automatic scutcher is used. Messrs H., F. and E. Seifert, R. T. Bell and A. Ross represented the employers, and Messrs A. Hillier, P. T. Robinson, G. Stove and G. Whibley the workers. The conference failed to come to an agreement, and the matter will, in all probability, be referred to the Arbtiratiou Court for settlement. The minimhm rate of pay for scutching under the award, the term of which expired on March 31st of last year, but which remains in force until a new award is made, is 26s per ton. As a rule there are two scutchers to a stripper, the output from which is between six and seven tons per week. With the automatic scutcher three men can deal with from three to three and a halt tons per day. At present only one automatic scutcher is in use in the district, but at another mill one of the machines is to be installed almost immediately. The present award has the following clause in reference to new machinery ; “In the event of new machinery being introduced into any flaxmill or new processes of manufacture being adopted which alter the nature or amount of work necessary in connection with any operation in the manufacture of hemp, the rates of pay for such work shall be arranged by mutual agreement between the Employers’ Association and the Union. Failing such agreement the matter shall be referred to the Court of Arbitration for settlement.”