ARBITRATION COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13091, 2 April 1903, Page 6

ARBITRATION COURT.

, THE TAILORING DISPUTE. The Arbitration Court resumed at 10.30 a.m. yesterday to hear further evidence in the tailoring dispute. Witnesses were called by the employera and questioned as to their opinions of the conditions asked for by the Union. R. Cresswell stated, in the course of his evidence, that.he thought the old rate for apprentices fairer than that suggested by the employers. Apprentices should not be indentured until they had served six months' probation. Mr Gohns stated that the Union was in favour of a probationary period. James Mitchell supported the claims of tho employers. He said that the hands employed by him at Strange and Co.'s always seemed satisfied, and there was no desire for a reduction of hours. On resuming at 2.15 p.m. his Honor said; that the Court had examined 1 a " chart suit" submitted to iifc by Mr Horcus, of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company. The marks placed on the suit were .sufficient to show that the goods were factory-made, and, provided such marks were continued, it would be unnecessary to bring the factory under any award made in the tailors' case. A clause would be inserted in the award to necessitate the marking of factory-made "chart suits" as factory made, and the factories cited would be discharged from the tailoring dispute. Frederick Penberthy, stock cutter to Strange and Co., supported the claims of the masters. . The remaining witnesses called by the employers were F. Penberthy, Ettie Kennedy, John W. Ramrn, John Parker and George. Woodham. Mr Hobbs briefly addressed the Court on behalf of the employers, asking .that the Christchurch tailoring trade should be placed on the same level as that of the other centres of the colony. Mr Gohns said that he would defer his adaress until the Court sat at Ashburton or Timaru. . His Honor said that the Court would sit. at Ashourton a't 1 p.m. on Saturday next, and at Timaru on the following Monday at 3 p.m.. - The Court then adjourned.