ARBITRATION COURT

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12001, 25 June 1902, Page 5

ARBITRATION COURT

HOSIERY DISPUTE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —press association.] Dunedin, Tuesday. The Arbitration Court resumed this moraing. The hosiery dispute was taken up. Mr. Hood represented the union, and stated that the trade was in a deplorable condition in Otago. He asked the Court to set aside the log, and fix the rate of wages.

Ib came out in evidence that a girl 22 years of age, at the trade four years, only earned 7s or 3s weekly. His Honor expressed surprise at girls continuing in the business. Mr. Gilman, for the employers, contended that practically the slowest girls in the trade had 'been put into the witnessbox, and to base an award upon their evidence would be ridiculous, 'the employers were of opinion that they could not raise prices and compete with imported articles, and they were doubtful if the industry could be kept alive even, if paid the rates of the log now submitted to the Court.

It was shown that competition, local and foreign, was very keen, and that the wages paid by the small factories in the city were veiy low, some girls 24" years old earning 15s per week, and employed only for nine months in the year. A petition Mas received from 80 workers in the Roslyri mills, asking not to be included in the award as they were satisfied. One of the small factory owners complained that the woollen mills were allowed to employ their knitters for 48 hours, while he could only work his hands for 44. The Court adjourned till Friday. At a meeting of the Otago Saddlers, Harness, and Collar Makers' Union, it was unanimously resolved that this meeting expresses its entire confidence in the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and its administrators, and moreover is of opinion that the statements made respecting it in other parts of the colony, are uncalled for at the present time.