BOOT WORKERS' WAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 14

BOOT WORKERS' WAGES.

APPLICATION FOR INCREASE. . COURT RESERVES DECISION. TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. In the Arbitration Court yesterday Mr. T. O. Bishop, representing the Dominion boot nianulactureis. opposed the application of the Boot Operatives' Union for an increase in wages and the restriction of piecework in their new award. Mr. A. Walts appeared for the union. The questions of preference of employment, piecework, materials, wages, overtime and classification were also in dispute. The preference clause had been in operation for some years, and this principle should not be disturbed, said Mr. Watts. They asked for the prohibition of piecework, or else the permission of it only in certain cases. The present piecework system was marked by injustice. The removal of the anomaly of requiring workers to provide tools was requested. The boot operatives were entitled to hicrher wages.

In England the wages paid had increased bv 100 per cent., and in Australia by 120 per cent, since 1912. In New Zealand male wages had advanced only 62 per cent, and female wages 76 per cent. They also asked that the boot industry should be held to be a skilled industry, and that a 40-hour week should be given female workers. Mr. Bishop emoted figures to show that the profit on last year's, operations was low. The amount of lost time this year would be very much greater than had been the case in previous years. The union had asked for the prohibition of piecework, and the employers asked for entire freedom in the matter. The Court reserved its decision.