ARBITRATION COURT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 308, 25 June 1912, Page 5

ARBITRATION COURT

SITTING IN WELLINGTON. , By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Monday. The Arbitration Court opened to-day. The court is hearing an application hy the Wellington Grocers' Union for an award to supersede that of 1909. A redaction from 52 to 61 hours is asked for. Fifty-two hours are fixed by the Shops and Offices Act, and Judge Sin said, "What is the use of asking ua to fix hours, when we have said as plainly as we can that it is useless asking the court to reduce the hours?" Mr. Carey, for the union, when asked where the reduction of hours was going to lead to, said: "We will only be satisfied when we get them down to enough to produce sufficient wealth for the needs of the country." His Honor asked if that meant four hours per day. Mr. Carey: "I am mot a political economist. I believe four would be enough." Evidence was then called in this case. When the musicians' dispute came before the Arbitration Court, it was stated that the union, which had arrived at an agreement with the employers, now wished to re-open the case. Mr. Justice Sim asked. Mr. Oakes, union representative, why he had previously consented to the agreement. Mr. Oakes: Because we got a preference clause we should not hare got if we came to the court. His Honr: Exactly. You want to keep the preference clause, and get something better. If the employer cams into court after making an agreement you would denounce him as dishonest. The union makes an agreement and then wants to keep all it has got and get more. The court reserved judgment on tbe points raised.