ARBITRATION COURT.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 530, 25 March 1908, Page 3

ARBITRATION COURT.

THE BAKERS' DISPUTE OPEiNS. IPER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] "WeUington, March 24. Tho hearing of the bakers' dispute began at the Arbitration Court today. In the case the Conciliation Board had made a recommendation, which the employers declined to accept, it provided for a week of 48 •hours, tho time of commencing to be not earlier than 4 a.m., save on days following one or two holidays, when the hour should bo 3 a.m. or 2 a.m., according to circumstances. Among "other provisions of the recommendation were wages — Foreman £3 5s per week; any man, save foreman working men, £3; others, £2 10s; jobbers, lis per day. • All employees to receive day pay. When the employer .himself is substantially engaged m the bakehouse he shall not commence work earlier than the hour mentioned, shall attend to his own oven, set the ferments, and take an equal share in tho sponging. Mr Westbrooke, for the men's Union, pointed out that in the country districts where the Conciliation Board had sat the master bakers wero fully represented — at Masterton, Dannevirke, Napier, Palmerston North and Wanganui — and at eaoh place a conference had been 'held and certain claims agreed to. Mr Kellow, on behalf of the employers, said the Wellington master bakers had not appeared before tho Board at all at these country places; country oases wero not now in question. The Court was asked to deal with the dispute onfly aa it affected Wellington and suburbs. Mr Kellow said the only difference in tho counter claim in respect of wages was that they asked for a reduction of 2s 6cl on the minimum on all classes of work ,and also claimed that an employer should be allowed to do any part of the work in the bakehouso he wished. They objected to the extra holiday claimed for the picnic. On the question of bermaline and milk bread it was agreed to keep these out of the award so long as fermentation was not used. . In stating the case for the Union, Mr Westbrooke said it had been a standing grievance with tho bakers that they had to work longer hours than any other class. If the registration of the Union was cancelled they would come under the Factories Act and would get eight hours a day. The men could also demand the wages they were at present getting and more. He contended that even if tho result of correcting the demands was a slightincrease in tho prico of bread, the public would rather pay than see he workers sweated. .... . The Court will sit in the country districts to hear further evidence. The hearing of tho bakers' dispute by the Arbitration Court has been arjourned to tho country districts. It is the intention of the union to call evidence at Wanganui Palmerteon North, Napier, and Masterton. Em ployers who desire to give evidence in these places will require to attend tne sittings of the Court without further notice. The dates are :-Wanganui, March 31; Palmerston North, April 2- Napier, April 6; Masterton, April 9.'