LABOR MATTERS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 28 March 1907, Page 2

LABOR MATTERS

Per I'ivss Association. (iishorne, March 27. The Arbitration Court opened to-day ■ o l>"iir die charge against Jli slangli-i-iinen. .Mi- ]. mn; | OI . ril ; a . '<l 11 technical point—lliat the papers L-oniiectc<| with the eitaliim woro mil in ■mler. The Court overruled the tcclini- ™ object ious. Kvidcnce was given thai, t lie men, alter presenting their demand for higher pay, reduced the rate ot killing Irnm ten to two sheep per hour, and subsequently to one.

Liter. Keen interest was taken in (he Arbitration Court proceedings to-da.v. The freezing workers claim was li'xed for hearing to-morrow, Ihe parlies being given an opportunity to confer in Hi" meantime. Forty-seven slaughtermen were proceeded against for breach of award, the main line of defence being that the men had not struck, anil Ihn there was nothing to compel Ukmii t<i kill any parlicular number of sheep pel hour, .lodgment was reserved. Applications to enforce the Painters Award were also dealt with.

A conference of representatives of the freezing union 0 f workers and the employers took place to-day, ami an agreement ivns arrived at on points such as hours of work, holidays, and general clauses. Snhsecpiently the union met and formulated an ultimatum on the main points, such as price per hundred tor kming sheep. There, seems ih> probability of an agreement being arrived | at as to remuneration to workmen, and I it is practically assured that it will be left to the Court to decide.

Wellington, March 27. Application for an interpretation of the award governing the bricklayers industry was recently made to the Arbitration Court. The question raised was whether a man who worked 28% hours should be paid for 20 hours at the rate of 1/7 per hour. Mr. Justice Sim has now ruled thni as lost time, has to be deducted at the rate of 1/7 per hour, the worker is entitled to be paid only for the time he actually works, namely, 28y 2 hours. Dunedin, March 27. The annual report of the Trades Conference executive says that the conference this week will be the largest yet held. Jt urges that the Land Bill shall have precedence this session, llefcrring to the recent strike, it says : "While we may sympathise with the men in their effort to secure increased pay and better conditions, your executive cannot help expressing regret at their hasty and ill-advised action in ignoring the remedy provided by the Arbitration Act." The report "urges that the union label be attached to all goods manufactured in the colony, and expresses disappointment at there not being more labour representatives in the Legislative Council.