BOOT TRADE DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16234, 20 May 1916, Page 8

BOOT TRADE DISPUTE.

■. .-"■-. -~. ":■ : " t . '-'■■" ■■.■■■;.■■:■"■ -: AWARD FOR THE 'DOMINION,'"'' INCREASED BATE OF WAGES. J EMPLOYMENT OF SOLDIERS, Ist TELEGEAPH. ASSOOAXIOy.J WELLisGioy, Friday. The award 01 the Arbitration Cosrt is relation to the dilate between the New Zealand Federated Boot Trade Indnstrai Association of Workers and the yew Zealand Boot Manufacturers' Association, was filed to-dayS The award apples to the whole Dominion, and comes into force oa June 5, the period being two years. In a memorandum the Court says: — "The parties to this dispute arrived at complete agreement before the Conciliation Council, except as to the minimum rate of waj?es. It was admitted that journeymen in this industry are skilled workers, although the skill aired is no' of the highest order. In the face of tie evidence adduced as to conditions sheeting fee industry, particularly competjtioa with the imported articles, it has beea found impossible to raise the rarr-iiriarg wage. The Court arrived at the tflg. elusion that the increase to Is id a hosr offered by the employers., was, in the circumstances, fair and reasonable. It therefore was adopted by the Court, and embodied in the award. It is to be observed that statistics produced at the hearing show that- this is the highest average wage paid to workers in this industry in any part of the world. The Court, bowever, is of opinion that the diminished importations, due to excessive frights and other charges arising from war conditions, has placed the industry in the Dominion in an exceptionally favourable oosition for the time being, and thinks therefore that it is reasonable, in addition to a permanent increase in the mmimnm wage, 'hat workers should receive some farther consideration. The Court has, therefore, granted them a war bonus of 5 per cent! At the hearing the employers asked that some special provisions be inserted is. the award to permit of tie employment of unskilled labour if, in consequence of the depletion of skilled workers by enlistment or otherwise, it was impossible after a reasonable interval of time to procure skilled workers. The €bur 6 was remctant to facilitate the admission of unskilled workers into a skilled trade, which might lead to grave abase, but after careful consideration it determined, by a majoritv to make, and has made, special provision enabling returned soldiers to be emploved under certain safeguards and only m "the event of the union being unable to provide skilled workers for the purpose required." The section of the award in relatioa to female workers provides for « week of 45 hours. The minimum wage for females having served five years at the industrv is to be £1 Ms a week, computed by the hour. Special provision is made for the payment of hot wax thread machinists who receive £1 17s 6d a week and, if not worked continuously for thai period, to be paid per hour at fee same rate. A war bonus of 5 per cent, is to be paid on these rates.