WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 180, 21 July 1908, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

THE ARBmtATION COURT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Duneilin, Lust Night. The Arbitration Court opened its sittings here to-day iu tile dispute between the Union S.S. Co. and the Wharf Laborers Union. The former applied for a new award, superseding tlie one which expired in 1001. Mr. Belcher, who appeared for the Union, said it was not proposed to defend the case, but' he contended that the Union was out of existence, drawing attention to an extract from the Gazette showing that t'lie registration had been cancelled. Subsequent argument showed that tho l notice of cancellation was inserted in I the Gazette inadvertently, and that it was void.

The Court decided that the notice of the cancellation was void, and that llio hearing of the dispute be proceedod with next Monday. ' The coal miners' dispute was called on, and the Court decided that further attempts should be made to effect a settlement. If the parties held a conference and failed to arrive at a aeiinite decision, the Court mlghc ao-u a special sitting to deal with the case ii) November or December, It was mentioned that employers were prepared iu the event of an increase being granted, tlwt it should take effect from August Ist. Mr. Foivlds, representing the. Coal Miners' Union, said if this sittings were missed there would be serious, trouble.

His Honor said that before the Court heard the dispute it must be satv isfied that every reasonable effort was. being made to settle and has been mada to scttie and has failed. At preset),i. the Court would not decide whether' the case be heard at the present sitting* or not. A number of firms were fined small sums for minor breaches of awards.