WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16491, 5 March 1914, Page 7

WORK AND WAGES.

OVERTIME DISPUTE. STEAMSHIP OWNER’S PROTEST. CASE FURTHER ADJOURNED. By Telegraph—Press Association--Copyright. MELBOURNE, March 4* Under a protest from the steamship owners against resuming the hearing of the waterside workers’ case while the stevedores refused to fall into line n the working of overtime, Mr Justice Higgins further adjourned the case till Tuesday. AUCKLAND WATERSIDERS. THE RIVAL UNIONS. [Pita Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 4. The Conciliation Council considered an application by the newly formed Coal and Cargo Workers’ Union, principally representing ex-strikers, for an agreement and an all-round increase on tlio wage paid under the pre-strike agreement. A further application was made to join the Auckland Waterside Workers (Arbitration) Union as parties to tho agreement. The employers cited declined to discuss the matter and the ease goes to the Arbitration Court direct.

In the course of the proceedings, in replying to employers, Mr Way, on behalf of the Union, stated that ever since the strike between six and seven hundred practical waterside .workers had been absolutely refused employment on the wharves, owing to the fact that the new Arbitration Union had declined to admit them to membership, notwithstanding sworn affidavits that the applicants believed in the principle of arbitration. The Commissioner agreed to the Arbitration Union being joined in the dispute. The president of the Arbitration Union challenged several of the statements made by Mr Way.

NEW ZEALAND PLUMBERS AND GASFITTERS. [Pm Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 4. ,The annual conference of the New Zealand Federated Plumbers’ and Gasfitters’ Association of Workers is attended by delegates from Auckland, Wellington, Taranaki, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill. The proposed dominion award Was referred yesterday to the . Arbitration Court, with a the Association that a conference of the parties should be ordered, to negotiate on the basis of the Auckland award. The Judge stated that ho had no power to compel a conference, but would suggest that one should be held. Acting on this suggestion the parties conferred last night, but nothing definite was decided upon, and the whole matter has again been referred to the Court.

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN

; TIMBER WORKERS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 4. Mr O’Byrne, secretary of the Southland Timber Workers’ Union, returned to-day from Sydney. He explained that his visit' had been undertaken to bring about a better understanding between the New Zealand and Australian workers. This had been accomplished and a reciprocity agreement would be entered into, enabling workers going from New Zealand to Australia or vice versa to obtain full information regarding the employment available and the general conditions. There were about 5000 organised timber workers in New South Wales, 3500 in Victoria and 1000 in Tasmania. The industry appeared prosperous at present in Australia, with plenty of employment offering. ARBITRATION COURT.

WELLINGTON DISPUTES. (Ter Press Association-.] WELLINGTON, March 4. The hearing of the hotel workers’ dispute was completed to-day by the Arbitration Court. The employers asked for an award practically the same as that of 1900, which had been observed since . its expiry. The employees’ counter-claims included several amendments, chief of which were a six-day week, of fifty-six hours for men and fifty-two for women- Decision was reserved.

HOTEL WORKERS’ DEMANDS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 4.

In the hoteT workers’ dispute before the Arbitration Court, 'the evidence of workers was given regarding the long hours worked, and the successful operation of the six days’ week in Sydney. Mr Beveridge for the hotelkeepers gave evidence that to award a six days’ week would penalise the Wellington* hotels against every other part of New Zealand. Such a concession would_ cost the Grand Hotel alone an additional sum of £717 per annum ,to run. He handed in the balance-sheet of the hotel on the condition that it was regarded as confidential. Mr Carey, for the Union, objected to this procedure. He contended that the Union had no opportunity of controverting this evidence, and further that the question of profit and loss in an industry should not be considered in fixing the wages. The President ruled that he could not receive balance-sheets, but the employers were entitled to show what the granting of the demands would mean.