CLAIM FOR "DIRT MONEY."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18519, 2 October 1923, Page 10

CLAIM FOR "DIRT MONEY."

SLAG IN SHIPS'* HOLDS.

A claim : or "dirt _ money",, in respect of (he discharge, at ' Auckland in June ;md July, of basic slag from the steamers Devon and Cumberland, was before the Arbitration Court yesterday, Mr. Justice Frazer . presiding. The employers were represented by Mr. W. H. G. Bennett, manager of the Wellington Cc-operativo Waterside Labour Employment Association. Mr. James Roberts,secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Federation, appeared on behalf of the employees.- ;

Mr. Bennett stated that the disputes in, regard to both vessels had been before the Local Disputes Committee, and also the National Disputes Committee, but no agreement was arrived • at. -A claim of 3d extra an hour for each worker was advanced in respect of some of tne slag. It was contended that damage to the slag bags had caused- considerable dust in the' holds. Th 6_■ em ployers} submitted, ■ however, that the cargo in both vessels was of good average quality, and in the case of the Devon; out at* 47,000 slag bags, only 5000 bags were of poor quality. The Cumberland had only 150 tons of slag in the hold. Tho disagreeableness of handling '. basic blag, Mr. Bennett said, had been taken into consideration, a special rate being fixed for that work." He contended there, were no : special circumstances to justify a claim'for "dirt money." Basic slag dust was not harmful to the men, unless it were present in Very large quantities. Mr. .Roberts said that, tho union had only made a claim in respect of the holds where the bags ware in bad condition. They came before the Court, not so much for the few pence in question,; but for the principle:.involved. . ? The Court reserved judgment. The case should not, Mr. V Justice Frazer thought, have beea' brought before the Court. If the Local Disputes Committee was not able to settle the matter it would have been advisable to secure an independent outsider to decide it. He doubted if the . matter could .be heard either by the National Disputes Committee or by the Court. ;:■:/;