TIMBER WORKERS’ DISPUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19890, 9 September 1926, Page 10

TIMBER WORKERS’ DISPUTE.

DEMANDS BEFOEE COUET. THE DECISION RESERVED. iPeb United Pbsbs Association.) WELLINGTON, September 8. Argument in the Wellington timber workers’ dispute was beard at to-day’s sitting of ibe Arbitration Court, when the employees demanded n increase in wages, the reduction of their hours to 44 weekly, the provision of waterproof clothing, accommodation sheds for > utdoor workers, and a dining room for all workers. Mr Read, f r the workers, said the union was strongly convinced that a weekly wage should operate in the city, as the vast bulk of it* members were regularly employed in one place. A wage of Is lid uer hour had been agreed to in Christchurch. The lowest wage in the present case should be based on not less than that figure. The general labourers had been granted Is lid per hour. Mr Justice Frazer said the court only fixed a minimum wage. It expected that the employers, where they could afford it and where the workers were capable, would pay additional wages. After argument had been advanced in support of the balance of the claim Mr Hammond, for the employers, opposed the demands, and said it was unfair to ask for reduced hours, rvhich meant reduced production, and increased wages, which meant,' added cost. The general rule was 46 or 48 hours weekly. The wages, too, were standardised., with a minimum of 15s per day. If the court fixed the rate of pay at more than Is lOjd it would be departing from the standard. The court's decision was reserved.