COUNTRY FIXTURES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11437, 6 February 1923, Page 5

COUNTRY FIXTURES

FOR ARBITRATION COURT DATES OF SITTINGS ARRANGED YESTERDAY. WANGANUI TO-MORROW. The Arbitration Court, consisting of Mr Justice Frazer, Mi' B. L. Hammond (acting-employers’ representative), and Mr M. J. Reardon (employees’ representative), sat in Wellington yesterday. There was a large attendance of representatives of unions and employers, the object of the sitting being to make fixtures prior to the court proceeding to Wanganui to. deal with country district disputes. When the Wellington City Tramways and Power-house dispute came forward Mr Monteith, representing the union, said the case would be- a very contentious one. The union had not sent assessors to the Counciliation Council. Mr Grenfell, for the employers, said the only contentious matter was- that of pay. Concerning the Wellington metalworkers’ assistants, it was reported that the only matter remaining was one concerning the time on which overtime had to be paid. His Honour intimated that the court had made a pronouncement fixing the time in these cases at four hours. The position of harbour board employees and certain other exemptions were brought before the court pending their decision in the award. Other disputes set down for March are: Journalists, storemen, cooks and stewards, saddlers, and stage and theatrical employees. His Honour announced that the court would open in Wellington on March 12th. In the meantime the approximate dates would be as follow: Wanganui. February 7 th, New Plymouth, 9th; Palmerston North, 14th; Gisborne, 16th; Napier, 19th; Greymouth, 26th ; Reefton, 28th ; Westport, 29th or 30th; Nelson, March sth; Blenheim, 7th or Bth. On passing through Wellington for the South Island, the court will probably give a couple of days to clearing up disputes partly heard in the country.