PRINTING TRADES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 229, 22 June 1920, Page 4

PRINTING TRADES

DISPUTE BEFORE .ARBITRATION COURT. By Toleeraoh-Press Association. Christchurch, June 21. The printing trades despite was before tho Arbitration Court to-day. An agreement on many points had been reached before the Conciliation Council, but the Court was asked to adjudicate on others. In rcgard'to the claim for the payment for holidays, Mr. Justice Stringer said the union was asking; the Court to establish a big principle. The Court's decision would affect not only the printing industry, but also all other industries in the Dominion. It could not look on that industry alone when it viewed the application. It .was asked by the union that women workers should receive the Court's bonus of 3s. a week, and that rotary machinists and stereotypers should be given two weeks' holiday per annum on full pay. The employers contended that they had already given increased wages, more than equal to the bonus of 3s. now asked for women workers. As to holidays, tho custom was to pay in cases where overtime was not paid. They objected to the claim' for Dayment for holidays as a matter of rigiht, and expressed opposition to the application for two weeks' holiday for rotary machinists and stereotypers. - Exemption was asked for certain newspaper establishments in Westlaud, including Westport, Hokitika, Inangab.ua, and Ecefton, which, tho union opposed on the ground that some country newspapers wero very prosperous. Increases in the piecework rates for linotypo operators were asked for, and also that ense-making should be included in the award dealing with bookbinders. Both applications were objected to. In regard to - tho latter, it waß submitted that if the demand were conceded many girls would be thrown out of emeployruent. It would be impossible to carry on the printing of educational works in New Zealand, and a revolution would be brought about in producing 6matl books in the Dominion. . The Court reserved its decision.