TRADES AND LABOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12649, 29 April 1903, Page 5

TRADES AND LABOUR.

AMENDING THE ARBITRATION ACT. (Per United Press Association-.) WELLINGTON, April 28. In addressing a deputation that waited on him some time hack in reference to tho Auckland furniture dispute, (lie Premier said that if the Jaw did not givo the protcciion to employees which ho thought every nir.iloycr and right-minded person in tho colony would admit they woro entitled to, the law would have to be altered to .give ijuuh protect-wn. In view of the Auckland decision, it is understood that the Premier will bring the matter beforo Parliament at the earliest opportunity.

WHARF LABOURERS' DISPUTE AT NAPIER. (Per- United Press Association'.) NAPIER, April 28. The Conciliation Board sat to-day to consider the demands filed by the Wharf Labourers and Stevedores' Union against a number of employers, Tho union asked ithat tho working hours for ait classes of ■labour be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; that the rate for loading frozen meat from wharvcn to lighters (both siteam and sailing vessels) he Is, 6d per hour ordinary lime, and 2s 6d per hour overtime; for working all cargo (exoopt frozen meat) at other ports, 10? per day and all meals and (ravelling expenses. Tho rate of wages for sailing JigMora for any cargo except frozen meat, •tha fia-mo as at present; tho ra.to of wages for lightering frozen meat to be 6d per 103 freight sheep for loading, and 6d per 10) for discharging for sailing lighters; steam lighters carrying meat to bo charged Is 6d per hour ordinary lime, and 2» 6d overtime; work done on Christmas Day and Good Friday and Sundays to bo paid at tho rote of double time; all other holidays at the rate of ordinary overtime. Men working in meal to bo paid overtime rates, but not to he worked for more than six houra consecutively between 7 a.m. and midnight. Preference to unionists. The employers filed a statement that they wero quite prepared to continue the present rates of pay with tho conditions now in force, and to continue .paying the same rates for the noxt two years. Thoy considered these rates woro fair. TJicy were 20 per cent, higher than ttec paid in tho principal ports of Now Zealand—Wellington, Lytfelton, Dunedin, and -Auckland. Captain Tonkin (on behalf of tho employers) said that no distinction was mado between wharf labourers and stevedores. Ho maintained that throughout the men had tho better of tho bargain, and 'that if they continued to press their demands the employers would have to apply to ho placet! on the same footing as tho Wellington award. After ■some evidence had been hoard tho sitting was adjourned until to-morrow.