ARBITRATION COURT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13103, 30 April 1908, Page 7

ARBITRAT ION COURT.

(PHEBS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND, April 29

At tlw> Arbitration Court to-day the Wejhi GoMmining Company, Ltd., were oited for failing to pay overtime to a number of men. in October. Mr Sbanaghan, for the Labour Department, gave several instances of meu who had worked 12 hours a day and others 16 hours a day at tho Weiakino Battery. Hβ explained that at tho time there was an epidemic of influenza. Miaoiy men were affected, and when they did not turn up to take their shifts, otJior men were instructed to (continue their work. The only trouble was that fbey were not paid overtime at t3ie rato of time and o. quarter for time worked in excess of eight hours. Mr Tonks said tliat, in view of tho outbreak of influenza, the only other thing the company could have done was to take on other liands. It was not easy to take on casual labourers for a shift, or even for a ■week, ajid tho result would, therefore, have been that the sick men wouidi have liad to bti discharged in order that the moD twukl get wliat they were seeking— permanent employment. What the men in question did was to work twelve hours, and they received the pay of the men who were sick. Tho company dterivod no benefit; they paid for three mens' work to two men. It had been, a recognised , thing for a man to take a. sick mate's shift. In tliis way they received his pay, and the result was the place was kept open for the sick man. His Honour said that before deciding on the case, the Court should have some information as to the practice, and directed tho parties to confer, with a viow to arriving at some agxoeOT'diifc ■ sua -fco tHe pxactico on. tlio poin"fc raised, ajid to report to the Court. The case was accordingly ordereS. to stand down.