OIL STOREMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22901, 2 December 1937, Page 19

OIL STOREMEN

CLAIMS FOE AWAKD CASE FOR THE EMPLOYERS [ SKILL H&D UNNECESSARY COURT RESERVES DECISION The hearing of the oil stores workers' Dominion dispute was continued before the Second Arbitration Court yesterday. The clay was occupied with hearing evidence and argument brought by the - employers. / Mr. Justice Hunter presided, and associated with him were Mr. W. J. Croskcry *ind Mr. TV. E. Anderson, lay members. Mr. W. Brotherson, of Sydney, Federal secretary to the Australian Storemen and Packers' Federation, appeared for tho New Zealand Federated Storemen and Packers' Industrial Association of Workers, and Mr. W. J. Mountjoy, of Wellington, represented the employers. ' 0 For several iqjnutes after the start of yesterday's proceedings there was some discussion between Mr. Brotherson and Mr. Mountjoy as to whether the oil companies would soek to prove their incapacity to pay more for the services of storemen and watchmen. Companies' Attitude

His Honor then asked Mr. Mountjoy whether it was his intention to plead inability to pay increased wages, to which Mr. Mountjoy replied that the companies considered the question had no bearing upon the matter. He added that 4 oil storemen were entitled to receive as much as ordinary storemen, but ttot more. ,

Pressed by Mr. Croskery, Mr. Mountjoy said the 4 companies would not say th9y were not able to pay any rise in wages which the Court might see fit to award.

Lionel W.' Gilbert, employed as q warehouse representative by the Vacuum Oil Company Proprietary, Liniited, gave evidence that oil storemen hadnnyo y responsibility, and there was no work done by them which could not be performed by an ordinary labourer without any knowledge or experience of the oil industry. That had been proved'again and again. He said that in his experience he had not known of any fire to have broken, out in the stores belonging to his com- . p&ny. Handling; Bituminous Emulsions Willie Huteon, superintendent engineer to the Shell Company of New Zealand, Limited, employed at the Mira.mar installation at Wellington, said he had charge of about 120 men. He concurred ttith the evidence given by the previous witness, and he countered the suggestion made by union representatives on Tuesday that the handling of biturriinous emulsions was dirty work. He said that a great deal depended upon the men who did the work. ...

Witness agreed that the installation at Miramar as well as oil stores elsewhere were so well protected against fire that if necessary the company could dispense with the services of ratchmen. Smoking was prohibited and every practical precaution was taken against fire. - \ r ,, The Court reserved its decision.