H—ll

Work performed by Commissioners and Councils of Conciliation Industrial agreements made under the Act .. .. .. 32 (last year, 17) Disputes where recommendations were substantially accepted or agreements reached and referred to the Court to make awards .. 73 (last year, 77) Disputes where partial settlement was arrived at and referred to the Court to make awards .. .. .. '.. 42 (last year, 51) Disputes withdrawn .. .. .. .. .. 2 (last year, 5) "Minimum Wage : Kates fixed by Awards and Industrial Agreements There has been no alteration in the standard minima for adult male workers specified by the Court of Arbitration in a pronouncement dated 17th March, 1945—namely, skilled, 3s. o|d. per hour ; semi-skilled, 2s. B|d. to 2s. lid. per hour; and unskilled, 2s. per hour. During the year the Court has, however, in pursuance and exercise of the powers vested in it by the Economic Stabilization Emergency Regulations 1942 and on the application of the parties involved, amended 427 awards and industrial agreements.

The following table gives the minima for a number of the principal industries. Where there is no Dominion award or agreement in operation, Wellington rates have been taken, unless otherwise indicated. All the wage rates shown below are subject to an increase of 5 per cent, and a further increase of 5 per cent, (with a maximum of ss. for adult males and 2s. 6d. for adult females), with the exception of those rates indicated by a section mark (§), which are subject only to the second increase.

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Industry. Rate. Weekly Hours. Bacon-workers 2s. 9Jd. to 3s. l£d. per hour 40 Bakers £6 Is. 8d. per week 40 Biscuit and confectionery workers —■ Male £5 os. to £6 6s. 8d. per week 40 Female £3 3s. per week 40 Boot operatives —- Male 2s. 10|d. to 3s. per hour 40 Female £3 7s. 6d. per week 40 Bricklayers 3s. 2d. per hour 40 Brick, tile, and pottery workers — Male 2s. 8|d. to 3s. 0|d. per hour 40 Female £3 5s. per week, Dunedin .. 40 Butchers (retail shops) £5 17s. lOd. to £6 17s. lOd. per week 40 Canister workers — Male 2s. 10|d. to 2s. lid. per hour 40 Female £3 2s. 6d. per week 40 Carpenters and joiners 3s. OJd. per hour .. 40 Cleaners and caretakers— Male £5 to £5 10s. per week 40 Female £3 5s. per week 40 Clerical workers — Male £6 per week 40 Female £3 15s. per week .. 40 Clothing-trade employees— Male £5 12s. 6d. per week .. 40 Female £3 5s. per week 40 Coachworkers 3s. 0£d. per hour .. 40 Cheese- and butter-factory employees £5 Is. 8d. to £6 5s. 8d. per week 40 Drivers — (a) Motor .. £5 7s. 8d. to £5 19s. 8d. per week .. 40 (6) Horse .. £5 4s. 8d. per week for one horse, £5 7s. 8d. per week for two horses, and 6d. per day or 2s. 6d. per week extra for each horse above two 40 (c) Passenger transport £6 Is. 8d. per week 40