CONCILLATION BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11687, 24 June 1901, Page 6

CONCILLATION BOARD.

TIMBER-WORKERS' DISPUTE. [in* tklkckaph.— corubsvoxdent.] Tf. Koptjru, Saturday. The Conciliation Foard met at Aratapu on Friday to hear evidence in reference to the claims of the Timber-workers' Union, for shorter hours and increased wages. The members of the Board were the Rev. A. H. Collins (chairman), Messrs. Lucas. Fawcus, and BagiiiUl. The union was represented by Messrs. Stallwortby (president), T. Phillips (secretary), and J. Howlett. and tfie employers by Messrs. T. 11. White ((Kauri Timber Company and Sawmillers' Union), T. Mander (Slander and Bradley). O. Trounson (Kaihu Mill). T. FT. Barstow (Mitelielson Timber Company), and A. Hossack (Tatarariki Mill). Mr. White stated that other millers would attend when the Board met in Auckland. Mr. Stallworthy opened the case for the union, speaking for one hour. He said equal pay fur equal work, was not recognised at the sawmills. Much depended on the managers. The work hours varied from 47 to 53 hours per week. Wages also varied much. Long hours made slaves of the men, and fair conditions would benefit the employer and employed. Witnesses would show that wages we're paid most irregularly in some instances, and were very low, 22s 6d being paid to men of 21 years, and 33s to men with families of six. Since the union started agitation, the hours had been reduced, "and wages had been raised by some employers. Men had been compelled to ' board at certain houses at fixed charges, and accounts were deducted from wages. The demands of the Knights of Labour ten years ago had improved the conditions in the Kauri Company's employ. "The union had strong evidence from the country, but difficulty was experienced in securing town evidence, through fear. In seven months the union membership had grown from nothing to 650, showing a widespread desire for reforms. Mills were not now competing on fair terms, and uniform conditions wouli remedy this. Employers had forced the •union before the Board, by declining to treat unless all millers were included. The workers claimed that the work done in 46 hours would about equal that done now in 52. Mill work was most dangerous, and had wounded many, and killed some. The union desired to add one or two items to the statement to complete it.

Edwin Warmington, working two jigger saws at Kopuvu Mill, was the first witness. He had twelve years' experience. He' was working 52 hours a week, nine hours 20 minutes per day. It was too long for any man. Eight hours' work would produce about as much as 9 l-3rd hours. A workman could not keep up the pace during a long day. A man could run 100 yards at a quicker*pace than a mile. He remembered the reduction of hours from 58 to 52 ten years ago. The Hokianga and Kopuru mills turned out more in 52 hours than they had dons in 53. He objected to overtime work. He had worked 11 hours 20 minutes a day. and was paid time and a-quarter for overtime. Ho worked on night and day shift alternately for two months, and lost a stone and a-half weight. He objected to night work, as unhealthy and risky in mills. He considered seven days were not too many holidays in a year. He was not asking pay for holidays. He was receiving £2 10s for working two jiggers. Two pound fourteen shillings should be the minimum wage. He knew of men getting more wages 1 ban the union was asking. Sawyers required special skill. Breaking-down and circular sawyers deserved equal pay. The work was dangerous. Most mill hands lost a considerable amount of time in a year, owing to breakingdown, want of logs, stock-taking, boiler inspection, etc. He did not get paid for lost time. Sawmill work should be paid higher than unskilled labour. Sawyers at tails oil up in their own time, and should receive •within Is of headmen. Three years ago two men were employed to work two jiggers, which were now worked by witness alone. Witness was cross-examined at length by Messrs. White and Mander.

To Mr. Barstow: The increase output since the reduction of hours might be partly due to improved machinery. To Mr. Fawcus : Circular and breakdown sawyers were now generally paid the same wages. John Todd, the next witness, was a yardman, lie had worked for Tve years in West-laud mills. Eight hours a. day was general in the South. He received 8s to 10s as yardman in the South. Living was as dear on the Wairoa as in ftreymoiith. In the Smith sawyers (circulars) get 15s a day; tailmen, 10s and lis:; twin saw breakdowns, 10s: head. 8s: tail slabmen, 7s to Bs. Wages generally were much higher in the South for shorter hours than in the North, with the long hours worked. Fifty-foui hours at Aoroa a week was too long, lie objected to night work, which should be paid higher rates. Mill work was decidedly dangerous. To Mr. White: . A yardman in the South was equivalent to a. tally clerk in the North. The Southern hours weie 43. Underground work was more dangerous, than mill work.

To Mir. Marnier: The royalty paid in Westinnd was sixpence per 100 ft.

'Co Mr. Barstov. : Thi-ie was more work connected with the handling of timber in Northern than in Southern mills. The royalty there was paid on the output, here on log.

To Mr. Baguai! : Southern head sawyers kept their own Maws, with the exception of hammering saws.

George, filial']), head carpenter at Kopuru.. considered 46 hours a. week long enough, and 52 hours too long. Ten shillings was a fair minimum For head carpenters. He knew outride men who were getting 70s. with time and a-quarter for overtime. Witness bad worked to four a.m. on Sundays, and much other overtime, and was only paid ordinary time. A second carpenter sMrnild receive within Is of the first carpenter. Mill work was very heavy on tools. Hi found his own tools. A kit of necessary tools cost about £25, ami the upkeep of' the same averaged 2s to 2s 6d a week. It would not cost ordinary carpenters half that.

To tin- Chairman : Work dune on Sundays had been necessary to enable the mill to start again on .Mondays. Mr. White cross-examined witness at some length.