WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 209, 4 March 1914, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

EMPLOYERS' VISED,

(IS.y Telegraph- '.... Wellington, Yesterday. Echoes of the strike were heard in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when several employers were' proceeded against for breaches of the award. During the hearing of the ease it w:ts mentioned that many employers labored under the erroneous impression that because a union went on strike the award lapsed. However, an award could only be suspended through the Arbitration Court. The Inspector of Awards sited l«unlert, contractor, for £lO penalty for breach of the award of the Drivers' Union in failing to provide seven employees with books in which to enter the hours worked and initial them within '24 hours, lie pointed out that, defendant had Jieen ill-advised by a bush lawyer, and that he was a generous employer, who paid some employees more than the award rate. Under the circumstances the case was dismissed. Hover and lllingworth, builders, were sued for two £lO penalties for employing non-unionists, and failing to notify the secretary of the union in writing within "24 hours. A technical breach was admitted. -Counsel said before the firm employed the men it sent them to the foreman to get admitted as members of the union. The men. who were foreigners, were already members of the Seamen's Union. The foreman left them at the union office, and the men, fearing they might lose their billets, returned and were taken on. it being the impression that they had become members of the union. A 10s fine was imposed in each case.

Another defendant, charged similarly was fined os, and two others Is each.

DISPUTES BEFORE THE COURT

Wellington. Yesterday. In the Arbitration Court, in the plumbers' dispute, Mr. Breen stated that the men were applying for a Dominion award. He asked the court to order a conference of the parties to negotiate, on the basis of the Auckland award. The judge said he had 110 power to order a conference, but would suggest one. The hotel workers' dispute, brought by the employers' representatives, stated that since 11102 the wages of hotel employees had increased ii per cent., and the hours of labor had been reduced 20 per cent, for males and ;!0 cent, for females, and holidays increased.

TAMA' CLERKS' DISPUTE. Wellington, Monday. A statement published to-day, at the instance, it in said, of a prominent employer, to the effect that the wharf tally clerks' dispute had not been settled, is denied by the secretary of the union, who says the. agreement is ready for submission to the Arbitration Court, to be made into an award, and to be signed by the parties. SHEARER EMPLOYERS' RAIXOT. Wellington, Monday. The ballot of the New Zealand Shearers and Woolshed Employers' Association was counted to-day. The lirst question was: Are you in favor of joining the Social Democratic Party? The voting was: For !W5, against 10i)0; majority against 101. The second question was: Arc you in favor of amalgamation with the Australian works? Vor 105(1, against 471; majority for, 1185. The third question was: Are you in favor of the acceptance oil 1 per 1(10 for shearing'' For 1113. against 815: majority for, 208. The following were elected delegates to the annual conference:.Messrs •!. rownsend (Blenheim). ('. 1!. Johnston (Ashburton), W. T. Adair (Dunedin). W. lioonc (Cliristchiirch), W. E. liell (Cliristchurch). Charles Grayndler (Woodville), VY. McLennan (Blenheim).