INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11631, 19 April 1901, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES.

The carpenters' dispute has been referred to the Court of Arbitration for settlement/ The recommendations of the Board of Conciliation were filed on March 21, but the master builders not seeing their way to accept certain of the clauses yesterday lodged application with the clerk of awards, Mr. R. Goring Thomas, for the reference of the dispute to the Arbitration Court. " [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, Thursday. In the carters' dispute the Conciliation Board decided to recommend an industrial agreement to continue for one year on the following lines : —The payment of minimum wages of £2 3s 6d weekly for driving and attending a single horse, and £2 8s for two or more horses. Hours of labour, a week, exclusive of dinner hour, and five hours on the recognised half-holiday. Casual labour to be paid Is l£d an hour, with overtime after 105 hours' work. Overtime for permanent hands, Is per hour for .the first two hours, and Is 6d. afterwards. Holiday work counts as time and a-half, Sunday work at double rates. Preference be given to union hands, but outsiders must be admitted on the payment of an entrance fee of ,ss, without ballot. Special provisions are made for drivers of aerated ; water carts. Sunday work in certain establishments is to be paid for at the rate of 2s 6d an hour. The Board carefully considered applications to deal specifically with contracts with the Railway Department for the delivery' of goods on board. They regret their inability to do so, as any such attempt would prove ineffectual, and can only suggest that such parties apply to the Government and the public bodies concerned for modifications. It is for the.Government and public bodies to consider whether there should not be in their forms of contract a mutual condition allowing revision in. cases where the basis on which the parties contracted is altered bv means beyond their control. ■'■'.': The Conciliation Board was engaged hearing the dispute between the Coal Miners' Union and the Shag Point Coal Company, with reference to the new seam lately opened up. Other seams are worked under an award made previously, but the union contended that the now seam, being a low one, should be regarded in a special light. For the company it was contended that the wages averaged over 10s per day, so they' could not afford to pay the demand. The decision was reserved. .

The dispute between the Coal Miners' Union and the New Zealand Coal and Oil Company was taken. This has reference to _ engine-drivers and firemen in it. The Kaitangata Mine Company contended that the demand was for an increase of 3s per day for engine-drivers, and 2s for firemen, and would be more than qualified engineers could be got for. The decision was reserved.' ';■■ - >

A reference has been-filed in the dispute between the Bakers' Union and Southland master bakers. The hours asked are 51, and the wages, £2 16s for foreman, this when ; there- is ;only one man, £3 being the recogn j'ted wage; ~ second-hand, £2 10s; table-hand, £2 ss.