ARBITRATION COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9008, 22 November 1907, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT.

Press Association. Napier, Nov. 31. At the Arbitration Court to-day flues of £1 were inflated in two cases of breaches of the Coach-build-ers’ Award. Au application to have the Wellington award of Ist August, 1907, applied to 77 employers in the Hawke’s Bay district, was withdrawn by consent. A now dispute is to he filed for the next sittings of the Court. Au application by the Napier Wharf Laborers’ Union for alteration to the existing award was heard. The union asked. for increases in the rate of pay of from 10 to 20 per cent, with preference to unionists when they aro available and capable of doing the work. Evidence was given that the cost of living and house reut had increased, and several workers stated that their earnings averaged but little over £2 per week. For the employers, it was stated that although in some instances the rate of wages was higher before the award than under it, yet since the award came into force, owing to tiie increase of trade the men had earned more money. Tho present system of payment at the port had been in operation for many years, and it was contended-that to meet some of the demands of the men would he ruinous to the employers. T ho Court rose till to-morrow.