ARBITRATION COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4978, 30 May 1903, Page 3

ARBITRATION COURT.

THE BAKERS’ BISTUTE

The hearing of tho bakers’ dispute was continued in the Arbitration Court yesterday morning. Messrs W. A. ivellow and M. IT. McCarthy appeared for tho employers, aud Mr James Mowbray for the union.

Before tlio employers opened their case Mr Mowbray asked if it was Hie intention of tho Court to give tho city award without hearing tlio country evidence.

His Honor replied in tho affirmative. Mr Mowbray said, on behalf of tho union, he would accordingly ask tho Court - to hold over its award until the country evidence had boon taken. His Honor had no reason for refusing to grant tho request, but ho did not wish it to bo said that tho Court was holding back its award. They wore quite prepared to give their award on Monday morning. However, seeing that tho union was agreeable to continue under tho old award, lie thought tho Court, could do as requested without inconveniencing cither party. Mr Kollow did not object to this course.

Tho employers counter-claimed for a nino-and-a-half hours’ day', fifty-four hours to constitute a week’s work. Wages—Foreman, £3 per week; second hands £2 10s. and tablo hands not loss than £2 ss. Permits to bo issued to incompetent workmen, to bo employed at a wage to bo arranged botwo.on a representative of the employers and one appointed by tho union. Overtime—Time and a-qiiartor for tlio first throe hours, time and a half afterwards. ■ Every employer to bo allowed ono apprentice, whether any journeymen employed or not, and in the caso where two journeymen aro employed two apprentices; Luna of apprenticeship four years ;wages of apprentices for tho first year (where lodgings ars provided by tho employer) to boss, with rise of 3s per year for tho second and third years, and 4s for tho fourth year. Jobbing bands 10s per day, and whoro taking tiio position of men incapacitated by illness, to receive tho pay of tho position filled. No carter to :bo employed in a bakehouse, but a baker to bo permitted to deliver bread so long as bo does not work more than tho prescribed hours. Preference of employment granted to unionists, so long as any person of sober habits and good character was admitted a member of the union, on payment of tho (usual foes, without ballot or other election. The other clauses of tho employers’ demands dealt principally with the settlement of any future dispute between tho parties, or the interpretation of anything .contained in - tho award by representatives of both sides. The keeping of an employment, book was also mado a condition.

After reading tho full text of tho foregoing, Mr Hellow said that in the past the employers had readily acceded to tho demands of tho union, but what they now asked was out of all reason. If tho working day was fixed at 81- hours, ; t would mean that tlio master bakers would have to adopt a totally new system of baking broad. Machinery - could bo introduced. This would reduce tho number of hands required by two-thirds. His Honor: I suppose tho onlv machinery you could introduce. would he dough-making machinery ? Mr Hollow: Hough-making and moulding machines and patent ovens, which do away with the necessity of setting. Francis McFarland, master baker, was tho first witness called. Ho did not think eight hours was sufficient time in which to perform the work under tho existing conditions. If tho union's wage demands were granted, it woidd mean a certain rise in tho price of bread. Aniy man who .ran batches was entitled to extra pay. Tho charge of 3s per hour for -work on holidays tin tho conditions filed by the union) was simply ridiculous. He strongly objected to any restrictions on apprentices. It was, eminently desirable that every bakehouse should have an apprentice, and that boys should bo given every facility for entering the trade. Witness suggested that tho time for starting should be an hour earlier in winter than during the other periods of the year. In the course of further examination oy Air Hollow, witness expressed his approval of tho conditions put in by tho employers, and emphasised the necessity of an employment book being kept by the officers of the employees’ union, and that it should bo available for inspection at all times. To Mr McCarthy: Tho baking trade was not unhealthy. Witness did not approve of the practice of giving bread with weekly wages. It was an antiquated. obsolete custom that originated in Loudon.

Cross-examined by Mr Mowbray: The journeymen bakers wore tho best paid tradesmen in the colony. AVitness did not believe in shutting out incompetent men from tho trade through want of a classification clause, providing for a lowest rate of wages being paid. In oases where a minimum wage was fixed, there should be a clause for incompetent workmen. AVitness would prefer an improver to an apprentice in his establishment.

John Kilduff, in evidence, said ho wished to correct an error which had inadvertently crept into tho report of his remarks on tiio previous day regarding “dry pay.” Ho was not averse bo tho practice as stated, hut would prefer to pay the extra sum represented, with tho employees’ wages, rather than give bread. This concluded the evidence. Mr Kellbw addressed tho Court on the evidence called for tho employers. Ho declared that if the Court entertained tho union conditions concerning wages, tho bakers would either have to close down or purchase machinery and turn their business into a huge corporate concern. Mr McCarthy said ho did not propose to say anything, as ho would liavo an opportunity of addressing the Court elsewhere before an award was given. In reply to questions tho President stated that sittings would be held at tho most convenient places—probably Napier, AVaugauui, Palmerston North and Masterton —to hear the country bakers. Tho Court then rose. SOUTHERN AWARDS. T'TtFKS ASSOCTATTON. CHRISTCHURCH, May 29. In tiro millers’ dispute, the Arbitration Court award provides for eight hours being a day’s work, and for each shift being of eight hours; tho first shift to commence at 8 a.m.; overtime rates, time and a quarter for tho first three hours, jiimo and a half for the second throe hours and double time after, and for work on Sundays and holidays. The wages per hour are:— For rollermcn, shift millers, oatmeal 1 and barley millers, Is Id; purifier and paokermen, 10}d; smuttormen, Is: assistant smuttennen and kilnracn. lid; head storemen, Is 11 d ; engine-drivers. Is 3d; second and third. Is Id. The wages for boys f range from 10s p"r week for the first six months to 3Cs for the tenth six months. In the bakers’ dismi.tc tho award of the Court provides that fifty-one hours shall constitute the week’s work, not more than ten hours per_ day to bo

worked. Work is not to commence before 4 a.m. except on Saturdays or days before holidays, when it may commence at 3 a.m. Time worked in excess of fifty-one hours is to bo paid at tho rate of Is 6d per hour. Wages of foreman or first hands, £3 per week; second hands, £2 10s; third hands, £2 ss; jobors, 10s per day. No more' than two apprentices, who must bo indentured for four years, aro to bo employed. No wages aro fixed for apprentices.