ARBITRATION COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18510, 22 March 1922, Page 7

ARBITRATION COURT

WATERSIDE WORKERS' DISPUTE (Pu Unites Fsxaa Aasoautnnr.) WELLINGTON, M*wb 21. In the Arbitration Oourt the parties to. the waterside workers’ dispute were unable to agree upon a date and place at hearing. Mr Rcwterte, for the union, salt?! that they were halfway through the hearing of disputes before Conciliation Councils in various parts of the dominion. Tha union was not ready to proceed with the case next week. If separate' awards were made there would be 28 different awards for watersiders in New Zealand. Ho suggested that if the case was heard in the different centres, then a dominion award might be made. Mr J. Smith, far the employers! mi that the application was for a local awgrd. He could see no reason why the oeee shouhL not bo heard here, where the condition* applied to 98 per cent, of those in the other ports. Mr Justice Frazer said that the court preferred to hoar the dispute in at least two centres before giving an award in * big dispute. Tne ultimately agreed with the suggest tor. of the President of the court that they meet him in Chambers this afternoon to discuss the method of procedure, WAGES AND THE COST OF LIVING. WELLINGTON, Marche. On behalf of (he Wellington Trade* Council, Mr Kennedy (president) asked the'Arbitration Court for information end directions in reference to the 1922 Amendment Act and the jxnvers of the oourt to vary •wages rates according to the movement o i the cost of living. Mr Justice _Frazer said that the court had received r.otica of the questions ntbmittod, and members had discussed them.. The court hoped to furnish the answer* this week. 'Then, in order to give ample timo fur consideration, the court proponed to fix a date, about April 26, to hear argument on the points raised.