COURT REFUSES AWARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20595, 20 June 1930, Page 14

COURT REFUSES AWARD.

REVIEW OF DECISION WANTED

MEN APPEAL TO MINISTER.

[Bi' TELEGRAPH.—OWN* CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Thursday.

In spite of the fact that the Arbitration Court had decided that forestry workers in South Auckland were not entitled to an award, it was contended by Mr. A. Cook, general secretary of tho Workers' Union, who accompanied a deputation which waited upon tho Minister of Labour to-day, that the men should havo their wages and working conditions protected by law. Mr. Cook asked Ul9 Minister to review the Court's decision. Ho said tho 2000 or 3000 men concerned, as well as their employers, fully believed that an award would be granted. A union was formed among tho men last year and they later affiliated with the New Zealand Workers' Union. A dispute was taken before tho Conciliation Council, but no agreement was reached. In October the question was considered by tho Arbitration Court at Rotorua.

It was then staled that at least six out of 11 companies concerned were paying .wages less than the Court's minimum rate. It was also stated that tho conditions were most primitive, lint in spito of these facts the Court decided bv a majority that the men should not have the benefits of an award. The Minister, Hon. S. G. Smith, promised to look thoroughly into the question.