ARBITRATION COURT

Evening Star, Issue 17604, 8 March 1921, Page 5

ARBITRATION COURT

Second Dav.—ITuesday. 1 Tuesday. The Arbitration Court resumed its sitting this morning, His Donor Mr Justice Fraser presiding. FIRE BRIGADES EMPLOYEES. Tho fire brigades employees applied for an amendment of their award. Mr Evans, for the union, said >t was an ordinary application for tho bonus of 9a. Mr Cookson said that these workers were in an entirely different position to any other workers. The Fire Board provided the men with their lodging on the station, so that they had no rent to pay. They had neither fuel nor lighting to find, and bedding was provided for them and also washed at tho board's expense. Under their engagement the men had one day off in six, and that was the only clay on which they had to wear their own clothes. The only thing they had to provide was food. They messed together, and were able to buy much cheaper than the ordinary individual It cost each man about £i a week for his meals. He (Mr Cookson) contended that under those circumstances thev should not get the full bonus. Mr Evans said it was a remarkable thing that the board agreed to the first bonus of 4s and the second of 6s. The President: The real point seems to bo that they have to find their own food. Mr Evans said that although, the married mm not quartered on the station were abowed 14s a week they had to contribute to the mess allowance, because they had to have their meals on the station. T*v wages were excessively low, starting at £2 a week, so that when the cost of living bonus was under consideration it must be recognised that the lower wages the man had the heavier the* burden be had to carry. If the two previous bonuses wore granted by the court it would be quite illogical to hold that the present bonus was not justified. The President asked how many married men there were in the brigade. The question was whether the cost of living pressed as heavily on fire brigade men with the privileges they bad as on other people. Mr Evans replied that the married men numbered nine. The single men had ob ligations towards their families. The men worked or rendered service of 144 horn's a week. The President said that the court would consider the aspect of the case, more particularly from the point of view. of the obligations of the married men. MEAT PRESERVING AND CANNING WORKERS. These workers applied for an amendment of their award. Mr Haymes, for the union, said that it was an ordinary application for the 9s bonus, subject to the court’s pronouncement. Mr Cookson said that objection was raised on the ground of the parlous state of the industry. George It. Storey, governing director of the Otago Preserving Cmnpany, Ltd., said that practically all the preserved goods from Otago and Southland went to England. Tho companies here had to compete with the whole world, and could not pass increased cost on to their customers. Prices had fallen since the last award was made in December, 1919, by from SO to 55 per cent. About April last all the works had to close down because losses were, too great. Two works, including his own. had attempted operations within the last three or four weeks, but on going into the figures yesterday he found it would be impossible to continue working. About 500 hands had been thrown out of employment.

William Stevenson, of the St. George Packing Company, also gave evidence. Mr Haymes asked whether the court was going to' take the matter of profits into consideration. The President said that they would have to take it into consideration as a fact. They had to look at the whole thing broadly and consider whether the economic continuance of the industry would bo prejudiced bv the granting of a bonus. Mr Cookson said that the meat preserving industry only came into existence on account <J the demands arising out of the war. The union would probably fall out of existence before long. Mr Haymes submitted that the question of profits should not be taken into consideration. The President said the court would consider the matter. THEATRICAL AND SHOW EMPLOYEES. Mr Breen appeared for these employees, who also asked for an amendment of tne award bv the granting of a 9s bonus. Mr Co'okson said that this was not an ordinary matter, inasmuch as of the employees followed other occupations in the day time and supplemented their earnings by. working at theatres at night. Mr Breen said that most of the employees did not follow occupations covered by "an award and a bonus. Tt should not be forgotten that the employers were making huge profits out of their businesses. Tire President said it was suggested that many of these people should not got a bonus because they cot another bonus. The court would consider the matter. TRAWLER EMPLOYEES. Air Breen appeared in support of this union’s application. Mr Cookson said the employers withdrew their objection. They were under a misapprehension. .They objected to the 9s bonus, but were now actually paying the ss. This was accepted. ENGINEERS’ UNION. This union applied to add Briscoe and Co., Ltd., and Wilson Bros. (Invercargill! to their award. Mr Elston appeared ii I support, and Mr Cookson to oppose on be i half of the first-named firm.—The court reserved its decision.