THE GO-SLOW POLICY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12084, 23 June 1920, Page 5

THE GO-SLOW POLICY.

UNIONISM RESTRIOTIING OUTPUT. WHY COST OF LIVING INCREASES Per ?r ess Association. Christchurch, June 23 The Canterbury tailoring trade dispute wau before the Arbitration Court to-day. The Union asked for 44 hours per week and wages at the rate of £5 per week formate workers and £3 10a for females, piece-workers to receive Is 6d and is 3d per hour respectively. After hearing evidence, his Honour said that at New Plymouth evidence was given that under the team system workers were able to earn 50 per.cent higher wages and to produce clothing as reasonable rates. Mr F R. Cooke, for the Union, said that system robbed workers of their individuality, and made slaves of women, His Honor: The women did not look like slaves. They were strong, intelligent looking women who resisted interference with the conditions under which they were working. Mr F. Cooper, tor the employers, submitted that It would be disastrous if the Union’s demands were agreed to. They represented as regards males, an increase overpre-war wages of 109 per cent., and in respect of females 133 per cent. The Court reserved decision. Dunedin, June 23

TIIB members of the Engineers’ Union held a stop-work meeting, to day for the purpose of hearing a case ot much importance to them, in that the Inspector of Awards claimed against ihe Dunedin branch of tlie Amalgamated ..Society £IOO for al leged breach of award. It was alleged that the Union during the currency of the award took proceedings to defeat the pro vision of the award, the object being to prevent piecework at Reid and Gray’s. It was explained that it had heon customary for that firm to do piecework during the busy season, and early this year the orders were getting so far ahead of the firm that they introduced a system of encouraging the men to produce more work. The system and terms ■were accepted and maintained for twelve days, but then suddenly stopped. The men were earning practically fifty per cent increase on the ordinary rates and were willing to continue if not interfered with by the Union. The case is proceeding.