ARBITRATION COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3783, 4 July 1899, Page 3

ARBITRATION COURT.

ANOTHER TAILORS’ DISPUTE

Mr Justice Edwards, associated with Mr Thompson, representing the masters, and Mr Slater the industrial unions, presided at the sitting of the Arbitration Court yesterday, when an application was made by the Tailors’ Industrial Union of Workers for the enforcement of an award against the firm of Messrs Berry and OnThe Tailors’ Workers’ Union was. represented by Mr E. Bodge* - ; who, in addressing the Court, submitted reasons tor enforcement of the industrial award in regard to the paying for the stitching of ticket pockets on coats. His complaint was that Messrs Berry and Orr had failed to comply with the award'in respect to ticket pockets..

Mr Milligan admitted that Messrs 'icn-y and Orr had sometimes paid for the stitching of ticket pockets tor sac coats at. the rate of half an hour, arid it was also admitted that Messrs Berry and Orr did deduct (in pocket stitching) for machinery work more than one hour, which was allowed by the log. ' Mr Rodger contended that the award had applied to all pockets. Mr Milligan said the majority of employers in the city always distinguished hctween ticket pockets and ordinary fulisized pockets, and only 6d was allowed for ticket pockets. He proceeded to state that an understanding had been come to regarding the matter at a conference between representatives of masters and employees, but His Honor said no cognisance could be taken of such a conference. The masters had stated in writing that they were going to pay for each pocket over two as for an hour’s work, and,, that being so, they would have to abide by it. Mr Milligan pointed out that Messrs Berry and Orr were only acting in accordance with a resolution of .the Master • - dors’ Union, and that other master tailors were doing similarly. He also stated that the pockets were put in partly by hand and partly, by machine, and in that case wore not provided for by the log. ■ ' v ■ His Honor said the question was whether Messrs Berry and Orr had paid /' for ticket pockets as for ordinary pockets, and as that was not the case, there had been clearly a breach of the agreement. Ultimately, Mr Rodger put Mr Milligan into the witness-box, and it was elicited that Messrs Berry and Orr only paid sixpence for ticket pockets because, the witness stated, the log provided that ticket pockets were to be paid for at the rate of half an hour when made entirely by hand. That was his principal reason; hut. even supposing the pocket was worth Is, he was entitled to make a reduction because it was an extra pocket, and pointed out that ho considered a part of the log entitled him to make such reductions, and submitted there had been no breach of the agreement. . His Honor stated that the Court would consider if that constituted a breach of the agreement, and decision was reserved. The next business was an application for an enforcement of an award in the matter of the Wellington Operative Bakers’ Union of Workers and William Tonks. Mr Andrew Collins, with Mr f. IT. Hogg, appeared for the union, and Dr Findlay for Mr Tonks. , ' After hearing evidence, the Court also Ve,served its decision in this case.