ARBITRATION COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 97, 3 May 1901, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, last night.

A number of boot manufacturers in the Arbitration Court this morning stated that the hoot manufacturing industry in the colony was steadily decreasing, and that the importations from America were increasing steadily ; also that retailers were importers of the greater part of their stocks, as they could thereby make greater profits. Evidence in the boot-muking dispute has concluded. The rcpresentative.s on cither side address tho Court this afternoon. WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES. INDUSTRY SUFFERS FROM AMERICAN IMPORTATIONS. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Christchurch, last night. Consideration of the dispute in connection with the boot trade concluded before the Arbitration Court this afternoon, and the Court will now take time to consider the award before the ease is disposed. Mr Frostick, President of the Federated Employers’ Association, said that whatever the Court might have done it had helped to bring about a groat deal of good feeling, which had prevailed throughout the hearing of tho case between the representatives of the employers and the workers’ union. The delegates endorsed these remarks. Most of the evidence taken to-day went to prove that tho industry was suffering greatly from importations, especially from America, and could not bear tho strain of extra wages or shorter hours. The dispute iii connection with the ironmoulders’ industry will be taken when the Court resumes to-morrow morning. Several other disputes have yet to be considered, and it is not likely that the Court will finish sitting hero for at least ten days.