ARBITRATION COURT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12571, 14 August 1906, Page 4

ARBITRATION COURT.

•The- Arbitration Court resumed its sittings in Christchurch at t_is Provincial Council Chambers yesterday, Mr Justice Chapman presiding. Tho Carpenters' and Joiners' Union applied for the extension of their award to various employers. Mr G. B. Chick, on beSutlf of the Builders' and Contractors' Association of Canterbury, said the only alteration he would like -was the excising of Anniversary Day as a holiday, Tn order that tho whole of the awards under which tho builders were, working might ba made uniform so far as holidays were concerned. He understood that both sideagreed to tho proposed alteration. The Union representative objected to tho suggested alteration, and Mr Chick withdrew his application, as tbe award eongbt to be extended expired in November next. * Mr Greig said that the preference clause was afeo objected to, but as the award expired in November ho would not press the objection. Tho Court mado the order applied for. The Christchurch Painters' I;man applied for the extension of the award to certain employers. . Mr Gohns appeared for the Umen, but the application was net opposed. The order was mado accordingly. The Timber Yards and Sawmillers' Union applied for tho extension of the award to Hammetl and others. The order was made. The New Zealand Clothing Manufacturer' Association applied for an amendment of the Tallorewses' and Pmvjers' Aw aid in rc>pcct of certain machine work. Mr P. He revs appeared for the Association, and Mr K. Gdhas for the New Zealand Fcder#ted Tailorcsses' and Prefers' Union. His Honour said he did not suppose that when tho award wns made any evidori'ce was given relating to the machines. Mr He re us said he was not prepared to lead evidence, but would ask the Court to fix a time for hearing. The application was really one for interpretation. Mr Gohns objected to tho application. The matter had been referred to the Chairman of the Conciliation Board under the terms of tho award, and n decision had been given by the Chair in.-in. Mr Kerens said that his side wes not represented when the matter was dealt with by the Chairman of the Conciliation Board, and tho so-called i decision had been given without any evidence being led. at all event* on behalf of tho employers. Mr Gohns said that a oase alleging n breach in respect of the same matter would bo coming on for hearing, aud his Honour said that the whole position could be gone into when tho case came on. The present application would, therefore, be dismissed. The Canterbury Shearers' Union applied for .an extension of the award to various' farmers. Mr William "Watson said that he objected to the application, as he was only a small farmer, and ho did not think that ho should be included. Ho employed shearers, and always paid them £1 per hundred, and had neverhad any trouble. Mr Slater: That is more than the award rate?— Yes. His Honour: "Why do you object to bo joined?— Simply because I do not see any reason why I should be drawn into it. His Honour: Well, there aro 2500 people in the same position as yourself. Mr Watson: Do you think it is right that neople who have never given any trouble on this matter should be drawn in ?' His Honour: Do yon think it is worth while troubling'about the matter when 2499 people do not object? Mr Watson said that there were a number of other small farmers who had not been cited, and his Honour suggested that Mr Watson should send in their name* -to tho secretary of th© Union. The Union were endeavouring to reach all the farmers.

Mr* Watson replied that it would not be right for him to bring his neighbours into what ho objected to himself.

His Honour said it would place Mr Watson in an invidious position if he alone of all farmers in Canterbury was excepted. The order would be made.

In regard to tho Grocers' dispute, his Honour eaid the Court considered that tho case was on© in which a conference should he flield. The Court had been rather more than systematic in the matter of bringing about conferences between the parties, and those conferences had done a good deal of good, and tho parties got on, (reanarkably well.

Mr Gohnß, who appeared* for the Union, sadd that there; was a serious 'difference of opinion An" the matter of the preference clause, and hi* Honour said that the case would then hava to be heard. Tho Quarrymen's dispute was mentioned, and the matter was held over pending the holding of a coaiferenos) between the parties. , Mr* Gohns stated that an agreement had been arrived at between the Drivers' Union, and the ernplayera, and both parties desired that the agreement should he mad© am award of the Court.

Tho application was granted, and it was ordered that the award should remain in force for two years.

In regard to the- Dairying dispute, Mr Gohns sand that an agreement had been arrived art hptween tho parties after some seven or eight conferences. The agreement was to run for twelve months from Br<pftem i ber lllhn, 1906. The agreement was made an award of the Court. Mr Gohns apked whether tho Court at its present sittings oonld hear an application for an extension of the General I/aibourers"* award. His Honour replied that the application could be taken, if it ■was only a fornxaa matter. Tho Court, however, had matter to occupy them till the end of the month, and they had to sit at Ashhurton and Timaru. That was a longer period than the Court usually had to deal with th© Canterbury business. There was also a very big block of business in Otago, and tho Court did not want to delay the Otago sitting by taking now matter in Ganiberbur.v. The Court would, if possible, hear the application at half-pest two on Monday afternoon.

Tho Court then adjourned until 10.30 a.m. to-day, when the hearing of tho Tailoring dispute will be commenced.