DRIVERS' DISPUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 132, 22 October 1912, Page 8

DRIVERS' DISPUTE.

ARBITKATION AWARD. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christehurch, Last Night. The award of the Arbitration Court in the drivers' dispute has been handed ts the parties. It was proposed by the Drivers' Federation to apply for a Dominion award under the Act of IDII, but, owing to defective legislation on the subject, that was found .to be impossible. Applications for local awards were made, therefore, in Auckland, Gisf borne, Wellington, Wangauui, Napier, Christehurch and Dunedin, and these were heard as one dispute, in Wellington, on September 17 and IS. They were treated as being in substance, though not in form, applications for a Dominion award. The 'Court, in a memo., says' that the principal changes made by the new awards in the, existing conditions are: (1) Attendance to horses has been limited to eight hours per week. There is no doubt that in the past some employers have made improper use of the right to require a driver to attend to his horses without any limit as to time, and some restriction on the subject was necessary. (2) The time occupied by a driver in going from and returning to a

stable is to count as part of his working hours. (3) The wages of drivers have been increased. In the city of Wellington the increase is Is per week, in Auckland, Christehurch and Dunedin the increase is 4s per week. (4) Rates for casual drivers have been increased. The minimum wages are: One horse £2 8s per week, two or more horses £2 12s, casual drivers to be paid Is l%d per hour for one horse and Is 3d for" more, overtime to be Is 3d and Is Cd respectively, and is to commence after nine and a half hours have been worked in any one day. Casual driver is defined as one not employed for a week or more. On Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Eri-

day, casual drivers shall be paid 2s fid per -hour. Wages for youths are fixed j at 18 to 19 years £1 ss, 19 to 20 years £1 10s, 20 to 21 £1 15s. The The proportion is one to one, and after that one to each four additional drivers. Bakers are to be allowed to employ youths under 13 years at 12s 6d per week and found, or £1 unfound; others, 18 to 10 years 15s to £1 2s fid, 19 to SO 18s to £1 Ss, 20 to 21 £1 to £1 10s. The proportion to be one to one, and one more for eaeh three additional drivers, provided that any employer who cannot find a fully-paid driver may employ one youth.