MASONRY TRADE

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 45, 19 January 1912, Page 18

MASONRY TRADE

Sir,—-In your issue of December 22, Ibere is a loiter headed "Masonry fradio" and signed "Marble," in which the writor suggests the formation of unions in the masonry trade throughout the country, and stating iurtber, that wages at outside work ,uo eboufc Bs. per day. For the infon nbion of your correspopck-ft allow mc "to poiit out the position of f V> masonry tnule in New Zealand. In Auckhi'i, WtJlintgon, Christoliurrh, and Dun* din, there are Stonemasons' Uni > i» Ir. 'Auckland, Wellington s-nd Oh. 'i tdiurrh the masons are working undo Awards cd the Arbitration Court, w i :h deal with the question of hours v' work (44), apprenticeship, wagns, x.d other mattors. In Auckland the <ato of wages is Is. 6d. per hour, iii "'V'ellinglon la. Bd. and in Chiistchunii la. 6d. In Auckland and Wellington considerllblo trouble has been caused by those .Working in monumental yards (perhaps

f your correspondent: belongs to tln.s sw- ! ti(in) who refus.o l<) li'cinnn members *ol' the Uuioiu; and who appear to resist the employers in seeking for eseinp- : tions from the Awards which cover the I contractors. In Christchnrch tin's was I overcome, and two years a;jo a special agreement was arrived at between the Union and tho«e employers engaged in monumental work. Tin's agreement was made an Award of the Court and is to bo found in book of Award, Vol. x., page ">IP. Under the terms of this Award the hours are )4 and wages Is. (id. per hour; in fact, with the. exception of the Apprentice Clause. the two Awards are much alike. 1 would be pleased if your correspondent wmild write mc should ho drsiro further information, or any assistance in forming a Union in Mastcrton. With regard to the Conference he suggest- ,- such a Conference will be held about Easter, under the auspices of the New Zealand Federation of Stonemasons, of which I have at the present moment the honour of being president.- Yours. etc., JOHN RAI?H. 102 Manchester St.. Chiistdiureh.