TYPOGRAPHICAL DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 72, 21 September 1912, Page 5

TYPOGRAPHICAL DISPUTE

THE EMPLOYERS' SIDE. The third day of hearing of the Typographical dispute wAs entered upon today at the Arbitration Court. Messrs. W. Pryor (Employers' Association), George Fenwick (Dunedln), J. M'lndoe (Dunedin), and N, M'Robie (Waihi) appeared for the employers; and Messrs. J. W. ~F. M'Dougall (Wellington) and J. Harris (Dunedin) for the Federated Typographical Association. Yesterday afternoon the federation opened its case dealing with the machine section of the dispute. A number of minor points had been settled, and evidence bearing upon the matters in dispute was called. To-day Mr. Harris, speaking in regard to the employers' claim for classification, said that the union had drawn up a comparative table showing the difference between the rates the employers proposed to pay, the rates at present paid, and the award rates. In opening the case for the employers, Mr, Pryor said that the union proposed increased restrictions in the trade, and, particularly, were asking for payment lor work not done. The employers asked for an increase of hours in the machine section, so as to make a uniform 48hour week. The present difference between the hours of machine and handworkers caused considerable friction. The fact that insurance companies did not load th© printing trade was an immediate and complete answer to the union's contention that the trade was unhealthy. Some time ago the Wellington Union had a medical officer visiting tho printing offices ; apparently with a view to obtaining evidence in support of the alleged unhealthy' nature of the trade. Why was he not called to give evidence? The Factories Act made stringent rules regarding lighting, sanitation, etc., in offices,- such as existed in no other country. Labour laws were also more strictly administered here than elsewhere. Working conditions in the trade had undergone a great improvement during the past five years, not only in so far as the compositor had not now to spend hours in "dissing," but in general conditions. Classification of districts in the trade was supported by a statement mad^some years ago by Mr. Justice Cooper. It at present existed in a number of districts. So far as wages were concerned, Mr. Pryor continued, the employers' proposals showed an increase on the whole. There were some decreases, but that was unavoidable in a classification scheme. He drew attenI tion to the statement by one of the j union witnesses that it had suited him better to give up business on his oWn account and accept a position in an office. There was no doubt that imported printing was competing seriously with the work of the job-printing trade in the Dominion. Evidence would be called to show that it was taking the employers all their time to compete with the imported artlc^ and any _ increase in wages would wipe out certain of the trade. The employers contended that the minimum efficiency speed was at present too low ; and further, that the fixing of a standard was useless unless there were some means of obtaining a return. They would put forward expert evidence to show that it was not necessary to have a linotype operator trained as a compositor. The present provision was blocking the employment of apprentices. After referring to the proposals in detail Mr, Pryor proceeded to call evidence. George Fenwick, managing director of the Otago Daily Times Newspaper Co., in evidence^ stated that higher rates of pay for linotype operators were forced upon the proprietors, first in Auckland, by fear of serious .trouble. Employers asked for a reduction in the piece-work rate, which was at present too high. Operators on Dunedin papers at present rate averaged £4 10s lid and £4 15s, and these high wages caused dissatisfaction in other branches of the trade. They asked, further, for the exclusion of "fat.'i The average hourly output of operators in Dunedin offices was : Times, 9621 ens ; Witness, 9281 ens; Star, 9324 ens. About 1000 ens an hour would be a sufficient allowance for "fat." He objected strongly to payment for blocks. Mr. Fenwick had just concluded his evidence-in-chief when the Court adjourned at 1 o'clock until 10 a.m. on Monday.