ARBITRATION COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 89, 14 April 1923, Page 7

ARBITRATION COURT.

■WAGES FOR BUTCHERS.

APPLICATION BY EMPLOYERS.

Tiie Arbitration Court continued its sittings in Auckland to-day, his Honor Mr. Justice Frazer presiding, and with him were Messrs. W. Scott and H. Hunter, assessors.

The reduction of Auckland butchers' wages was sought by the Master Butchers' Association (Mr. S. E. Wright), and opposed by the union (Mr. W. E. Sill). It was claimed that the pay should be reduced by 8/- per week, and that the rates should be as follows:—First shopman, or man in charge, £5 %l-\ second shopman, £4 12/-; first small-goods man, £5 2/-; first bacon-curer, all other butchers. £4 12/-. It was also asked that unskilled, workers' wages should be reduced from £4 16/- to £4. Mr. Sill said the employers supported their claim for reduction by quoting the general orders reducing wages, made last year by the court, to which reductions the butchers were not subject, in arguing that no reduction should be made, he said the union considered the first hands were inadequately paid even at the present rates. The Court reserved its decision. STOREMEN SEEK A RISE. A demand by the Auckland stqremen for a rise in the wages of casual workers and storemen-packers was considered. Mr. H. Dyson, for the union, said the casual worker should be deemed to be employed for less than a week, and should receive 2/3 per hour. The Wellington rate was 1/11. Auckland store-, men packers were receiving £3 15/-, while the rate elsewhere was £3 17/-, which the union considered was too low, and should be raised to not less than £4. Mr. S. E. Wright, for the employers, said they were prepared to accept the rates ruling in the South, which would mean a rise of 2/- per week in Auckland. Decision was reserved. SIXTY HOURS PER WEEK. Evidence was called on the employers* behalf in the Auckland creameries, cheese and butter factories' dispute, to show that the provision of a 60 hours week in the long season for country butter factories was necessary to provide for contingencies, but that the actual time worked was in the vicinity of 48 hours.

Mr. J. John, for tbe union, contended for a 48 hours week, pointing out that, at 60 hours, which was the general thing, the men received payment at the rate of 1/21 in the butter factories. In the cheese factories, where the hours in the long season were 65 per" week, the rate worked out at 1/1* per hour.

Decision was reserved.