CONCILIATION BOARD

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4138, 28 August 1900, Page 7

CONCILIATION BOARD

THE TAILORS’ DISPUTE

The Conciliation Board entered on the second week-of its bearing of evidence in Hie tailors’ dispute, yesterday. . The workers’ union was fully represented- No employers were present. M J. Ennis, tailor, -being sworn, was examined by Mr Porcival on the timestatement as far as it related to the making of trousers. H. J. Willis, tailor, was also examined. The evidence given by this witness was chiefly confined .to trouser making and miscellaneous items. In his opinion there was 15s a week difference between living in. Wellington and Christchurch. His average earnings amounted to £2 7s 9.k1. He was considered one of tho fastest and most industrious workers in the local trade. He was known as “a screwer” in the . trade, i.e., a very fast- and hard-worker.',.',,. He could have made more wages if there had not been such delays in receiving material to work on. He attributed: , the unhealthinoss of the trade to niMit-work in the busy season. Tho workers wore often in the doctor’s Lands. • He’.-had known ■ in Christchurch recently; one weekly , hand employed in a. shop agd ten' lads, not apprenticed. They were supposed to bo learning the trade. " Of tin) ton lads three were apprenticed. Tho master tailor long defied the union, but Was finally brought into line. The weekly hand, a married man with a family, received 30s a week. .„. ' . . James On*, a tailor of thirty years’ experience, who had worked chiefly on vests at his present place, of employment, was next examined. His evidence was confined to the subject of vests under the time-statement. In the busy season he started at I a.m., with an hour for dinner at noon, and left off at 7 p.m. ' He was not bound to he at the shop at a given time, and could 1 leave when be liked.

G. W. Garrard, tailpr, was examined by Mr Murdoch. 1 ’ This closed the evidence for the workers’ union. The union representatives will commence their address this morning.

The Board adjourned at o o’clock, until 10.30 this morning. ' ■