CLOTHING TRADES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21782, 23 April 1934, Page 12

CLOTHING TRADES

COMPETITION ALLEGED ARBITRATION COURT JUDGMENT Applications by Southern unions to have certain employers in the clothing trades in the northern industrial district joined to their awards have been refused it a judgment of the Arbitration Court, delivered by Mr, Justice Frazer. The New Zealand Federated Clothing Trades Employees' Industrial Association of Workers applied to have the Wellington, Canterbury and Otago and Southland clothing trades _ employees' award extended eo as to join certain employers in the northern industrial district engaged in the same industry. In his judgment His Honor said the currency of the award in question had expired, although the award still remained in force. Once the term of an award had expired the Court had no power to make an order extending its operation. The application of the Dunedin Tailoresses' and other Female Clothing Trade Employees' Union to extend the Otago and Southland shirt, white and silk workers' award to join certain employers in the northern industrial district engaged in the same industry was also refused. It was pointed out that it was necessary to prove that the products of the trade entered into competition with those manufactured in the district where the award was in force. There was competition, but there was no evidence of an increased hold over southern markets having been gained by northern manufacturers. It had been suggested the absence of award restrictions had led to unfair competition by the northern manufacturers. However, returns showed that northern manufacturers were paying higher wages in the aggregate than they could be compelled to pay under the Wellington award, which was still in force. • There might be opportunity for unfair competition, but there was absolutely no evidence of its existence. On the other hand, it was shown that v the trade of northern manufacturers in southern markets had decreased in volume. There was a further objection in the fact that the Wellington award differed in some materia] respects from the Otago and Southland award.