ARBITRATION COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16907, 5 December 1922, Page 7

ARBITRATION COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH SITTING. The Arbitration Court commenced a aittin— ill ( hri.tehurch to-day. Hjs Honor. Mr’juntico 1 r;,V.rr presided and with him voro Mr W. Scot I (employers' represent utiv«) and Mr M. J- Pear don (emufoyees’ representative). . 11 was decided that., the engineering trades dispute should be heard to-morrow, and on Thursday anti Friday. His Honor said that the Court would not s»if on Saturday or Monday as it would be engager! in preparing awards. When the dispute between the Christchurch Hairdressers; ami Tobacconist's Union and their employers was called. Mr W. Simpson, on behalf of the employers, said a complete agreement had been reached. His Honor: Arc there no objections with regard to the Saturday half holiday. Mr. Simpson said lie understood there were’two objections. The employers had agreed to a universal Saturday half holiday. only provided no exemptions were granted. The Union understood this and agreed to the proviso. , Mv Hiram Hunter said the employees wanted the universal Saturday half holidnv to get rid of the confusion existing at * Hi* Honor said that the Court would hear the objections later on in the sitting. On the application of Mr K <'. Ellies ■ for the employees) the dispute between th« Canterbury Freezing Works and Related Trades Union and their employers was adjourned for the next silting of tli • Court in Christchurch. The employees offered no objection. When the ease of the Canterbury Drivers' Union was called Mr Hiram Hunter applied for an exemption from the 3s reduction recently made by the Court. The present wage of £4 per week, he said, represented Is H<l per hour, whereas the latest pronouncement of the Court fixed labourer?.’ wages at Is per hour. IT is Honor: That is the casual rate. Mr Hunter said that, most labourers were employed casually. The Union considered that Is fid per hour was low enough. It was stated that a complete agreement had been reached in the drivers’ dispute. However there were some applications for exemption from -South Canter, bury. Tlis Honor said that they would make the award in Christchurch and hear the. application for exemption at Timnru. With regard to the application for exemption from Uie bonus reduction His Honor said that the union should make application in the prescribed way. (Proceeding).