ARBITRATION COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15982, 16 July 1912, Page 4

ARBITRATION COURT.

BOOTMAKING TRADE AWARD [Pkb Press Association.] DUNEDIN, July 15.

The Arbitration Court sat hero this morning to hoar the dispute between the New Zealand Federated Bootmakers’ Union and the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers’ Federation. Mr G. R. Whiting appeared for the employees and Mr W. Pryor for the employers. Mr Whiting explained that the parties had arrived at an agreement for both male and female operatives. Thoy were asking for an award to come into operation throughout the various industrial districts on August 1. Mr Pryor said there was one clause left ont which he understood had boon included. He bad discussed the matter with Mr Whiting, but he could not seo his way to agree to the clause being put in. He was not in opposition to it, and he had agreed that the matter should bo submitted to the Court. It was understood that the clause drafted should operate. Tt was the following addition to the apprentices clause:— " Notwithstanding anything herein contained, the present custom regarding the employment of hoys at heel building shall continue.” Mr Whiting said he would not like to consent to any addition without consulting others. He was representing a big body of men. Mr M’Kinlay said that before the cause went any further ho would enter a protest on behalf, of a large number of employers in New Zealand. He had received a letter late on Saturday night asking him to enter a protest on behalf of r, large section of employers who had not seen and were not cognisant of the contents of the agreement. The President: It is signed by Mr Murray. The difficulty is that the only parties before the Court in this dispute are tho two Federations, and if they came to an agreement, which some members may not approve of, we cannot take that into consideration very well.

Mr M’Kinlay said he was one of the assessors in Auckland, and when they left the Conciliation Council it was understood by both parties that the disputo would go to tho’Court. The executive had taken it out of the hands of tho assessors and had brought it to the stage at which it at present appeared before the Court. After furtlior discussion, Mr M’Kinlay said ho wished l to make it clear that personally he 'was not opposed to the award, but a legal opinion had been obtained that if tho award was made it would be illegal. Tho President: I am afraid that the gentleman who gave that opinion does not know much about tho Act. Once an award is made, so long as it is in relation to an industrial disputo it is valid and cannot be challenged in any Court. An award will be made in the meantime in terms of the agreement. Under the now award so far as male workers nre concerned, the preference clauso remains as at present. It is provided that the award shall apply to hot wax-thread machinists in addition to those already covered by it. In connection with permits for work at home, applications shall bo referred to a representative of the Boot Manufacturers’ Association and a representative of the Union, and in tho event of their not agreeing, tho decision of the Inspector of Awards shall be final. In tlie old award the wages for first-grade men were 124 d per hour; in tho new award flio minimum rate of wages fixed is 14d per hour. The Court’s usual under-rate workers’ clause is inserted in place of tho moro

| restricted clause which appeared in the ] old award, under which, in accordance ■ w ;th the requirements of the Act, apprentices get a slight increase in wages, and boys other than apprentices are ! now allowed to work at cementing ! channels and bottoms. So far as female workers aro concerned, the under-rate workers' clause is the same ns above, but apprentices have been done away with and assistants .aro provided for. The employer has now the right to dismiss such assistants at any time on givj' ing six hours’ notico, and to deduct ! wages for time lost through illness or default of the workers, or through the factory being closed down for cleaning or lor repairing of machinery. No al- ; teration is made in wages for journeywomen.