LABOUR MATTERS

Southland Times, Issue 14371, 18 March 1910, Page 5

LABOUR MATTERS

ENGINE DRIVERS AND EIRE MEN. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, March 17. The Federal Arbitration Court hal commenced the hearing of the Engine ■ Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association case, which involves the whole conditions of employment on land engines. rLASMILLXITG AWARD. (Per. United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Mar. 17. The award in the matter of the dispute between the Manawatu flaxmlll employees and Flaxmillers was made to-day. The award provides for a 48 hour working week, the employer being entitled to arrange hours according to the exigencies of his particular business. The usual provisions are made for payment of overtime and holidays. Rates of pay were fixed as follows : Feeders, Is Sd per hour ; head pad- ' dockers, Is l%d per hour; bench loaders, Is Id per hour ; washers, Is Id per hour; catchers, assistant paddockfers, sorters and shakers, is per hour ; rouseabouts, lOVzd per hour; drivers, £2 2s per week ; stripper-keeper to receive not less than 2s 6d per day in addition to the wage paid to him in his principal capacity. The minimum rate for piecework paddocking is to be 23s 6d per . ton from Ist April to 30th September, and 20s per ton from Ist October to 31st March, and when carting is done 5s per ton in addition to the foregoing rates. The minimum rate of pay for scutching is to be £1 6s per ton. The rate for cutting flax shall be settled as heretofore by agreement between the employer and the employee, also the wages of cooks and their assistants. Labour not otherwise specified shall be paid for at the rate of Is per hour. Wages of youths shall be ; From 16 to 17 years, 35s a week 17 to 18, £1 per week ; 18 to 19, £1 5s per week ; 19 to 20, £1 10s per week : and 20 to 21, £1 15s per-week. Where food is provided by employers it shall be of good quality and sufficient in quantity, and workers shall not be charged more than 15s per i week for board. Special precautionary measures against smoking in the swamp and in the proximity of dry fibre are to be taken ;• also conditions are laid down governing the employment of under-rate workmen. Such workers shall have their wages fixed by the Stipendiary Magistrate of the district after due notice to the Union. The customary preference clause is inserted in the award. The provisions of the award do not apply to the workers of the native race at Mr J. G. Rutherford’s Waverley mill, nor the mill of Mr J. Burke at Wairoa. In the event of new machinery being introduced into any 11 ax mi 11 and a new process of manufacture being adopted which alters the nature or amount of work necessary in connection with any operation in the manufacture of hemp, the rates of pay for such work shall be arranged by mutual agreement between the Employers’ Association and the Union, and, failing such agreement, shall be referred to the Court for settlement. The award will become operative on Ist April next and will remain in force to 31st March, 1913. A NOVA SCOTIA MEASURE. HALIFAX, Mar. 16. A Bill has been introduced in the Nova Scotia Legislature for the compulsory recognition of organised labour. CONSOLIDATING GERMAN LAWS! By Telegraph.—Press Association.— Copyright. BERLIN. March 17. Received March 17, 10.30 p.m. A bill is ready for introduction into the Reichstag combining seven existing industrial insurance laws into one. increasing Slate contributions, extending , and reorganising the system.