PAY FOR HANDLING OF COAL

Southland Times, Issue 23675, 25 November 1938, Page 7

PAY FOR HANDLING OF COAL

EXCLUSION OF BRIQUETTES AND CARBONETTES (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 23. “The question for decision really amounts to this: Are carbonettes or briquettes coal?” said Mr Justice O’Regan, President of the Court of Arbitration, in delivering his opinion on an application for an interpretation of a clause in the New Zealand (except Westland) Drivers’ Award. The application was made by the inspector of awards in Auckland. The clause in question directs, inter alia, that drivers employed in loading or unloading more than, five tons of cement, basic slag, plaster, basic phosphate, guano or lime on any one day in loads of more than one ton each or drivers employed in handling coal in any quantity in sacks exceeding 1801 b net weight shall be paid at the rate of one penny a ton extra for each ton handled. The provisions relating to the handling of coal will not operate until six months after the making of the award. The question on which the Court was asked to give an opinion was whether the amount of one penny a ton was payable in respect of the handling ,of carbonettes and briquettes in any quantity in sacks exceeding 1801 b net weight. “The evidence showed that while coal is the major ingredient in carbonettes or briquettes, other material is added and a special process is performed in manufacturing them,” said Mr Justice O’Regan. “A similar question is whether bread is flour, simply because flour is the major ingredient of bread. The answer to the question is ‘No.’”