Arbitration Court.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7919, 7 September 1905, Page 3

Arbitration Court.

Big Sawmilling Dispute(Per Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Sept. 6. The Arbitration Uourt is at present dealing with the biggest industrial dispute possible in this district, namely, the saw-milling. The workers suck advances' of wages, while the employers say that the conditions of trade have changed for the worse during the past iwo years, and that the industry cannot stand a rise of wages. The domand for timber has fallen l oil somewhat, they maintain, and bush on the plains is nearly worked out. The cost of working on the foothills and gullies has added 100 per cent, to the cost of gelling timber, and employers are now faced with the importation.of Orugun pine in lengths up to BDft, at a lowei price, duly paid, than rod pine, 2IIH lengths, can be bought for ; while ior 30ft red pine the price is si ill higher. Offers of cargoes have been received here from America at an all round price that would permit of selling Oregon a shade less than red pine and without a limit to length or breadth. The Southland Millers' Association is said to have been doing its best to keep out importations, but if outside speculators took up the trade the Association would be powerless. It is asserted that Southland mill and bush hands are better paid than those in any other part of the world.

The men urge that owing to weather conditions they work only about 22 days per montn. and that the cost of living has advanced greatly. The Court after finishing evidence here goes to Orepuki to continue the inquiry.