AWARD OR STATUTE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVI, Issue 14909, 29 November 1912, Page 11

AWARD OR STATUTE.

FOR FIXTXG WAGES. THE AnXISTER OF LAB OF R, PROMISES COXSIDERATIOX. Piitt Pp.ess Association. CHRISTCIirRCH, Xov. 28. The Hon. the Prime Aimisicr, as-Alin-isU'i- ot" Labour, has written ' to Air rt-'ratii Hunter, .'t-.'crctr.rv t .f ■ !:■:• \ w Zealand Federation of Drivers' "Unions in reply to Air Hunter's letter nrotesU mg against the wages awarded to'dnvers by the court of Arbitration in a recent award, the Minister writes:— '-I understand that the desire of vour l'ederation is that as the Court of Arbitration ha s awarded onlv £2 Ss oer week tor one-hors e drivers, a minimum wa.ee or Is per hour should be fixed bv legislation. It should of course be understood that the rates fixed by the Court m awards are merely minimum employment, and any cranioveo is at liberty to simulate with his em Plover that he bo paid a higher I understand however that the r £t» awarded m &o award you- refer to namely £2 8 S for one-horse drivers ;k 4s per week more than that fixed in the Previous Canterbury av.ord. dnt-1 ■ Decembar 18th. 1908. Your suggestion as to cai ry the same into effect would necessitate interference with th dk ere ,on of the Court of Arbitat o " «-h.c], « a tribunal speciallv se Vt to dea with industrial matter.. The mi? JWstion will, however, be careful iv en fe" 1 , 3 the present reces " •he Industrial Conciliation and Arbi' *«on Ace , s being reviewed general -'?"