FLAX WORKERS5 WAGES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 October 1924, Page 5

FLAX WORKERS 5 WAGES.

ARBITRATION AWARD. DIFFICULTIES PRESENTED. (by telegraph—PßESS ASSbp T 'nON. PALMERSTON N„ Oct. 11. Reserved judgment in a case in which flaxmiliers sought a revision of the award fixed by the inspector of factories at Palmerston North, governing the side leaf method of cutting, was delivered by Justice Frazer in the Arbitration Court, before whom the case was brought recently. The old award provides that when new machinery is installed in flax mills or a new process of manufacture is adopted, the rates of pay in such work shall, be arranged by mutual agreement between the employers and the employed, failing such the agreement in question to be referred to the_inspeetor of factories for the district, if the decision is unacceptable, .the matter , r as to be referred to the Arbitration Court for settlemen. The inspector of factories fixed the rate for cutting by the side-loaf method at 16s 7-kl per. ton, and against this the millers protested, affirming that such rate was in excess, or what men were entitled to. The millers submitted that 13s would be a fair end equitable rate. , Delivering judgment, his Honor said the evidence was insufficient to enable the minimum rate to be permanently fixed. The month’s tallies were not sufficient on which to base a perment rate. It appears from the evidence that the 16s minimum rate was paid by r the employers before the matter was referred to the inspector. The court decided that tallies should be taken for a- further period of six months to indicate the quality of the flax cut daily, the hours worked, and the rate per ton paid, and the wceklv earnings of each man. Meanwhile the court fixed the minimum rate from October 6 at 16s per ton, such to be paid until the matter is finally determined by the court.