OTAGO DISTRICT.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 8, Issue 344, 26 September 1917, Page 3

OTAGO DISTRICT.

THE TRAWLERS' DISPUTE.

Before the Arbitration Court at Dunedin on September 17 the Trawlers' dispute was considered. Mr. Brccn appeared for tho Union, and Mr. Cookson for the employers. The Union asked for an increase of 7/6 all round.

Mr. Breen said the only matters that, the court would be asked to decide were the minimum wage and the term of the award. Since 1910 the men had only had (in increase of 7/6 a week all round. The present wages were as follow:—Male, £2/17/6; engineer, £3/17/6; firemen, £2/12/6; cook and deck hands, £2/7/6 per week and found. The men had to go out in all sorts of weather for 123 hours a day, and he ventured to say that they were the lowest-paid workers in the Dominion. Working out these wages per hour, they were only asking for an increase of less than Id. per hour.

Charles lloss and William Anderson gave evidence as to the hardship ot the calling-.

Mr. Cookson, for the employers, said owing to the unprofitableness of the business, there were only ten men engaged in tire industry, not sufficient to. constitute a- union.

' In reply, Mr. Brccn said there were from 15 to 20 men on the hooks. The Court reserved its decision.