ARBITRATION COURT

Otago Witness, Issue 3429, 2 December 1919, Page 28

ARBITRATION COURT

COST OF LIVING. WELLINGTON, November 25._ The Arbitration Court considered a dispute in the bakery trade to-day, reserving its decision. The unions applying to the Arbitration Court for amendments to awards have been assisted by the Government Statistician's figures in demonstrating increases in tho cost of three food groups, and in rent. Only, Mr Justice Stringer stated, that in future, in dealing with the , cost of living cases, the court would consider rises in tho cost of clothing and fuel and lighting. These matters had been specially investigated by the statistician/and his Honor thought the court had more accurate data to go upon now. _ THE BOOT TRADE. SHORTER HOURS DEMANDED. WELLINGTON, November 25. The Arbitration Court reserved decision in the application by the New Zealand Boot Trades Association for an increase of wages under the War Legislation and Statute Law Amendment Act, 1918, and for shorter hours for male operators. It was asked that the minimum wage should be not less than Is 7£d per hour and 2£d bonus; that the regular hours of work should be between 7.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on five days of the week and 7.30 a.m. and 12 noon on the recognised factory half-holi-day; and that the ordinary working week should consist of 44- hours, any time worked before those hours to be paid at the rate of time and a-half. For female, operatives it was asked that the hours of work should be the same as for males, and that the minimum rates should be: Females working at boot and shoe industry, and having served five years and upwards, £2 2s 6d per week, computed by the hour; hot waxthread machinists, £2 10s per week, and if not worked continuously for that period to be paid per hour at the same rate. The grounds of the application were the increase in the cost of living as declared by the Government Statistician's figures and the unhealthiness of the trade.