ARBITRATION COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17190, 6 November 1923, Page 8

ARBITRATION COURT.

TO-DAY’S SITTING. The Arbitration Court sat for about half an hour to-day. His Honor Mr Justice Frazer presided, and with him were Air H. Hunter, workers’ representative, and Air W. Scott, employers!' representative. IMPORTANT INTERPRETATJLON. Air E. C. Sutcliffe, secretary of tlie Christchurch branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, appeared in support of an application for an interpretation of the carpenters’ and joiners’ award. He said that the application directly affected Aulsebrook and Co., but as tho award was a Dominion one. other employers might be in the same jvosition, and the point was an important one. The application had been forwarded to the Court with a request that the matter should l>e dealt with without hearing argument, but the Court decided that it should be set down for hearing in Christchurch in the usual way. Interpretation is asked of the following clause in the award:—“The minimum wage for carpenters and joiners and joiners’ machinists shall be 2s 2sd pCr hour for outside workers, and 2s 1 l-3d for factory workers.” The question is whether the words “ factory workers ” in the award means a factory within the meaning of the Factories Act, or refers only to woodwork factories such as joiners’ shop*. Air Sutcliffe said that the employees were anxious lor an interpretation in order that they should know what regulations they worked under. He was ready to proceed with his case. Air Fi Cooper, employers' agent, in reply to his Honor, said that he had not been instructed bv Aulsebrook and Co- in tlie case. His Honor said that the question was a very simple one, but there might he a great deal behind it. much more than appeared on the surface. Afr Sutcliffe said that it was a question whether an employer could p a v two rates of wages to one class of employees. After discussion, his Honor said that Mr Cooper could see the papers filed in Court, and that hearing of argument would be taken on Thursday. = PARTIES ADDED. Tlie following were added to the drivers’ award, on Mr R. D. Alartin’s application : T. Bennett, Southbridge, D. H. Brown and Son, Christchurch. C. Shaw. Christchurch. The following were added to the carpenters and joiners’ award, on Air Sutcliffe’s application:—A. Gabb, AA’oolston. S- A. Gabb, New Brighton, AV. Pease, Sydenham. C. AV. Cooper, cardboard box-ipaker. was added to the printing trades’ award, on the application of Mr C. HEED OA r ER. Air fl T. Thurston applied to have the Dominion Electrical Company and the Knikoura County Council added to the electricians’ award. On his Honor’s suggestion, the application was held over until next sesDATES FIXED. The following dates were fixed for hearing 'cases: AVednesday. November 7—Clerks and office emoloyees’ dispute (local bodies), 10 a.inThursday. November B—Carpenters and joiners’ award, interpretation, 10 Friday, November 0 AV. Howatson (Mr E. AV. White) v. E. B. Ford (Mr J. H. Upham). compensation. 0 a.mAlondav .November 12—Grocers' assistants' dispute. 10 a.m. ; rangemakers' dispute to follow.