LIME TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 173, 23 July 1936, Page 7

LIME TRADE.

HOURS EXEMPTION. 44 HOURS FOR HALF-YEAR. A SEASONAL INDUSTRY. In a judgment dealing with 12 applications made on behalf of 23 factory occupiers in the lime manufacturing industry, the Court of Arbitration has made an order reducing to 44 hours a week the hours of work fixed in awards for those employed in work incidental to or connected with the manufacture of? burnt lime. For workers employed in the manufacture of carbonate of lime, or shell lime, a 44-liour week has been allowed during the busy six months, and only 40 hours are to be worked during the remainder of the year.

The Court stipulates that employers shall notify the inspector of awards in their districts the six-monthly period selected before commencing the 44-liour week. An ol'der is made in respect of all shift workers in lime factories extending from 4J to 8 hours the period of work without an interval for a meal, with the understanding that all workers shall, as in the past, have their meal at a convenient time during the shift. The interval so taken. shall be paid for as part of the shift.

The hours at present worked vary in different districts and in different factories from 56 per week, on shift work, to 48 per week, on day work. The Court states that the manufacture of agricultural lime is largely seasonal, though the seasons vary somewhat in different localities. It is estimated that from 75 to 80 per cent of the output of the various factories is manufactured and sold in the busy season of six months. The manufacture of shell lime is a continuous process, which necessitates the keeping of the furnaces going, and the machinery working day and night each day of the week for a period of six months on end. The manufacture of burnt lime for agricultural and industrial purposes is also a continuous process.

Employers manufacturing agricultural lime agreed to work a 40-hour week during the slack season, but asked for an extension to 44 hours during the rush season of six months. Those manufacturing burnt lime asked for a 44liour week throughout the year. Most of the factories, though not all, manufacture both agricultural and burnt lime. Keen competition exists in the industry, and many factories are experiencing some difficulty in carrying on. Some are handicapped by the limits of time during which they may use, at payable rates, electrical power for their crushing machines. In the manufacture of both burnt and shell lime Saturday work was essential.

"We are of opinion that, under present conditions, it is impracticable to carry on this industry efficiently on a 40-hour week and that the applicants are entitled to the relief asked for," states the judgment of the Court. Rates of pay prevailing on September 1 of this year will be adjusted so that the ordinary rate of weekly waees shall not be reduced by reason of the reduction in the number of working hours. Saturday work is to be permitted. The order will come into force on September 1. The order relates to Canterbury. Otajro, Southland and the Millliurn lime workers.