WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1915, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

THE ARBITRATION COURT. SITTING AT NEW PLYMOUTH. A sitting of the Arbitration Court was held at New Plymouth yesterday. His Honor Mr. Justice Stringer presided, and with him were Messrs E. F. Duthie (representing the employers) and J. A. McCullough (representing the employees).

FURNITURE WORKERS' DISPUTE. The first, matter dealt with by the Court was the Wellington United Furniture Trade (Taranaki branch) dispute. Mr W. J. Cousins appeared for the employers and Mr. D. R. Kennedy represented the union. Mr. Kennedy said that they asked for an award for Taranaki on the lines of the Auckland award, which was the most recent award. There were one or two little matters in the Auckland award which it would be advisable to include in the Taranaki award. The new exemption clause in the Auckland award would meet the case in Taranaki.

Exemption was granted to Messrs Bellringer Bros, and partial exemption _was granted to the New Plymouth Sash and Door Co. and to Messrs Hy. Brown and Co. Mr. Cousins said that the award 4vould finish the matter for the whole of the Dominion, as the awards made elsewhere would be based on that of Taranaki. The Court then granted the award as asked for on the lines of the Auckland award. CARPENTERS AND JOINERS. The dispute concerning the Carpenters' and Joiners' Union was then taken. Mr. W. Pryor appeared for the employers and Mr. G. Burgess for the union. Mr. Burgess said that the principal matters asked for were an increase in wages, new conditions respecting suburban and country war!;, and a new preference clause. The union asked that Che minimum rate of wages should be Is 9d per hour, the Conciliation Council having refused to fix a higher rate than Is -fid per hour. The present rate, was Is Cd, and this had been granted two years ago, so that although the cost of living had increased during the past two years the rate of wages remained the same. In regard to suburban and country workers the union asked that suburban workers should receive 6d per mile when going to work two and more mile's away from the town post office, and that work beyond six miles should be considered country work. For going to country work the union asked the ordinary rate of wages plus 2s a mile. The Conciliation Council had offered Is a mile. The old award provided for payment only one way, but the union now asked for payment both ways. This had been granted in the South Canterbury award and the Wellington award.

After some discussion it was decided to agree to the demands for suburban and country workers.

In regard to preference. Mr. Burgess said that the ordinary preference clause had been agreed to by the Conciliation Council with the exception of the provision that an employer should notify the union within seven days of the employment of a worker who was not a member of the union. _ This matter was deferred in the meantime and the Court then reverted to the question of wages. No evidence was brought by . the union representative, and the Court refused the demand. The Court then adjourned.