FREEZERS AND COURT’S ORDER

Evening Star, Issue 18035, 1 August 1922, Page 6

FREEZERS AND COURT’S ORDER

APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTION

[Feu United Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, August 1,

In tho Arbitration Court to-day on behalf of the Freezing Workers’ Union, a number of applications wore made for exemption from tho general order of the court; particularly that there should be no reduction either on the .percentage basis or on the flat rate. t , Mr Justice Frazer said that similar -applications made by other unions bad been withdrawn. Generally, the intention of the court was that the skilled workers in an industry should receive, wages over those of the general laborer, at the ratio prevailing in 1914. The union representative argued that the rate of wages should be higher in Wellington district than in the South Island, where the work was done at tho hourly .rate. The effect of the order at Christchurch would bo that the total reduction since November, 1921, would be £1 a week in the case of slaughtermen, 12s lOd for 'freezers, -and 11s lid for general hands. Mr Grenfell asked for on opportunity to consult tho employers in the district before presenting his reply to the court. An* adjournment was made to -a- date to bo fixed.