SOFTGOODS ASSISTANTS

Evening Star, Issue 15906, 11 September 1915, Page 10

SOFTGOODS ASSISTANTS

WELLINGTON AWARD.

[Peb United Phess Association.] WELLINGTON, September 10. The award of the Arbitration Court in the Wellington Softgoods Assistants' dispute has been filed. In a memorandum attached to the award the court says: "As stated at the hearing of the dispute, the Court were of opinion that the present was an inopportune time to consider the question of making any substantial alterations in the existing award in relation to the softgoods trade, which will inevitably be prejudicially affected by the lessened spending power of the people, consequent upon the increased taxation which will have to be imposed to meet the heavy charges upon the Dominion in connection with the war. The Court were also satisfied by the evidence that the war had already caused some disorganisation in the trade owing to the difficulty of obtaining certain classes of goods from the customary markets, and the delay and expense incurred in procuring regular delivery of supplies, and that this disorganisation would be accentuated if the war continued much longer. In these circumstances the Court came to the conclusion that the proper course to adopt was to make an award for a short period of time, and without making any substantial alterations in the existing award. The Court, therefore, have repeated the general provisions of the old award with some few alterations and additions, to which there could_ be no reasonable objection, but "have increased the minimum rate of wages for only the lower-paid male and female workers. A corresponding increase in the rate of pay for casual hands has also been made. The award will come into force on the 27th inst., • and will continue in force until September 27, 1916. Its operation is limited to an area within 25 miles from the Chief Post Office, Wellington,