ARBITRATION COURT

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 253, 23 October 1907, Page 5

ARBITRATION COURT

(Before Mr. "Justice 6im and, Messrs. .: E. Slator and S. Biown.), The sitting of the Arbitration Court was continued yesterday afternoon. COOKS' AND STEWARDS' DISPUTE. In opening the case for the rteamship companies, Mr. Scott said the proposals of the union-would mean an increase to the Northern Company of about £3000, "while the counter proposals of the company meant an increase of £500 per annum. There, were 105 eopks and stewards. The'Kaipara Steamship Company estimated the increased demands would mean an additional outlay of over £600. Some' of the companies had found that the providoring did not pay, and some had decided that the men should provide for themselves. Evidence was called in opposition to the demands of the men, and in of the respondent's counter proposals. Charles Hanson, manager of the Northern S.S. Company, eaid that for some years his company did not pay dividends, but there had been an improvement, and now 7 per cent was . being paid. A shipping company should pay 10 per cent. If the demands of the men were granted, the dividends would be reduced to 5 per eenE* Payment for overtime and holidays would stilj further reduce the dividend. Other witnesses also declared that the counter proposals were very liberal, and the further hearing of the ease was adjourned until this morning. TO-DAY. When the Court resumed this morning further evidence in support of the contention of the respondents was adduced, after which Mr. Scott and Mr. Jones addressed the Court. The decision of the Court was reserved. CARPENTERS' DISPUTE. Mr. Banfield appeared for the Carpenters' Union. The Builders' Association was. represented by Messrs. C. Blomfield and H. C. Small. Mr. T. H. White, who had associated with him three others, appeared for the Sawmillers' Association. The number of employers asked to be included in the award is 420. Mr. Banfield said that -with the exception of the preference to unionists' clauses, the whole of the men's demands with ee.rtain modifications, had been agreed upon between fie men and the Builders' Association. Mr. White said that so far as hia association was concerned, he agreed -with all the clauses, except those relating to wages, hours, and the apprentices. Mr. Blomfield objected to the preference clause. He said it encumbered the matter of engaging men very much, and, although the award said that the employment book must be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., they found it was" not available until 9 a.m. Mr. Brown: If the book is not kept in terms of the award, you are not bound. Continuing, Mr. Blomfield said he frequently could get hold of better men than the union had available, hut he had to lose them because he had to wait the union's convenience. Mr. Small said it was very inconvenient to have to go to the union for men. Mr. Banfield said he had no objection to having the union office open from 8 a.™. Mr. White said the sawmillers had voluntarily increased the men's ' wages from 8/. to 9/ a day. The time was not opportune now for a further increase. The men worked 47 hours a week, and were paid for 48, and that they were quite satisfied was amply evidenced by the fact that some of the men had been at the mills for over 27 years. Men preferred to work at the mills at a lower "rate,, rather than for a builder. The work was cleaner, and more constant. Regarding apprentices, his experience had been that boys always made the. best men who were not legally indentured. 'When a boy was bound he knew he could not be dismissed. (Proceeding.)