ARBITRATION COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8933, 25 September 1907, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT.

Astounding Statements. Per Press A ssccration. Dunedin, September 24. Tho Arbitration Court to-day heard the hairdressers’ and carpenters’ disputes. During the hearing of tho latter a witness for the Union said there were 700 carpenters in Dunedin and suburbs in trade, of whom 400 woro incompetent men, yot witness stated that only 110 of these had permits, 300 working for less wages without permits. There were ako an unlimited number of unindentured lads; of whom cheap contractors in the suburbs woro making use. Only 20 or 30 lads altogether were apprenticed. Incompetent men were working for from Bs to 8s per day. They were members of the trade section of the union.

Mr Scott (employers’ representative) : What is your Union doing to allow this? Witness; Wo avo almost helpless in the matter. W'e would need to have two or three men on tho road looking after them. „Mr Brown : Tho Inspectors would do that.

Later tho secretary of the Union gave somewhat similar evidence. Mr Scott: I feel that a very grave slander has been cast on tho Labour Department and tho employers of Dunedin, by this evidence. Have you over reported tins condition of affairs to tho Department ? Witness: Yes, wo have done so lately. Mr Scott: When? Witness : During tho last twelve months; Mr Scott; Have you reported about these incompetent men and “ unlimited unindonlured boys ?” \V itness; Yes.

Mr Scott; What was the result ? , Witness: The Inspector informed mo that ho was busy and that after this sitting of the Court ho would make a systematic search among all builders. Mr Scott: It is the most astonishing statement I havlHieard in tho Arbitration Court since I have been connected with it.