ARBITRATION COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13602, 22 November 1907, Page 6

ARBITRATION COURT.

[BY telegraph.—mass association.]

N.U'IEB, Thursday. At the Arbitration Court to-day fines of £1, were inflicted in two cases of breaches of the ixxichbuilders'Xi.wajd. An application to have the Wellington award of August I,' 1907, . applied to ;77 employers ,in the Hawke's Bay district was withdrawn by consent, a new dispute to be filed for the next sittings of the Court. ..-•„. An application by : the Napier Wharf Labourers' Union for alterations to the existing award was heard. , The union asked for increases in the rate of pay of from 10 t0.20 per cent., with preference to unionists when they are available, and capable of doing the work.- Evidence was given that the cost of living and' house rent had increased, and several workers * stated that their earnings 'averaged but little over £2 per week. For the. employers, it was stated that although in some instances the rate of wages was higher before the award than under it, yet since the award came into force, owing to : the increase of trade, ! the men had earned more money. The present system: of. payment -at the port nad been in operation * for many years,' and it was contended that to meet some of the demands of-the men would be ruinous, to the N employers. '.'''■'.■. '-J'C. ■ ••< " ; The Court adjourned until to-morrow. . '