LIGHTERMEN'S WAGES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 231, 23 June 1908, Page 8

LIGHTERMEN'S WAGES.

DISPUTE AT GISBORNE. (by telegbaph.—fkess association.) ! v Cisborne, June 22. The Arbitration Court's recent award in the lightering dispute came into force • today. The award provides for a reduction of a penny per hundred in tho handling of mutton and beef, and 2id. less for lambs than the prices previously paid by tho Gisborne sheep-farmers. Lightermen who have been employed in this work this morning declined engagement, stating that tho rates under the, award were not adequate, and that they would seek other employment. Tho company is employing the permanent men and. a number of casuals, and the work of loading tho steamer Karamca is proceeding.

Under the, old award 6d. per hundred was paid for both sheep and lambs, but tho prices under the new award, which came into, force yesterday, wore reduced to sd. and 3'jd. per hundred. Tho following is taken from Judgo Sim's memorandum attached to tho award:—"Tho employers offered 4d. per hundred for lightering sheep and 3d. per hundred for lightering; lambs.' The Court has fixed tho rate for lightering sheep at sd. per hundred and the rate for lambs at 3}d. per hundred. These ratos, according to figures put in evidence b.v the employers, and not disputed by tho Union, will givo tho workers a wage of slightly over 3s. per hour for this work." It therefore appears that the workers are demanding a wage of moro than 3s. p ( > r hour. Thcro is not a very great supply of labour in Gisborne, and they seem to think that if they refuse to work at tho rate specified tho employers will not be able to get the work done.