MILL WORKERS’ WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 300, 18 December 1931, Page 6

MILL WORKERS’ WAGES.

Further Reduction Wanted by Employers.

A further reduction in wages in addition to the 10 per cent statutory reduction is desired by the mill-owners of North Canterbury, the chief argument in support of such application being the economic position of farmers. At a sitting of the Arbitration Court today, James Curragh, mill-owner, and others, asked that the several clauses in dispute with the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Labourers’ Union relating to rates of pay, piecework, food and accommodation, exemptions and number of hands, etc., should be referred to a special sitting of the Court in January. Agreement in regard to the other sections of the award had been reached at the Conciliation Council.

Mr Justice Frazer presided. Associated with him were Messrs W. Cecil Prime, employers’ assessor, and Mr A. L. Monteith, representative of the employees.

“ The application of the old award will make it impossible for some of the mill-owners to carry on this season,” said Mr F. Lill, in support of the application. He added that the low wheat price, combined with drought conditions, would make it practically impossible for some farmers to pay the mill-owners. In addition there was still a considerable amount outstanding from last season. Mr C. E. Baldwin, for the union, replied that his organisation was prepared to meet the mill-owners at any time on rational and reasonable lines, but should not be held responsible for bad debts of the mill-owners’ own creation.

His Honor pointed out that South Canterbury had reached an agreement, and he found it difficult to understand why North Canterbury would not do so. A special sitting would put the country to some expense, and before granting such he would require to learn the attitude of the South Canterbury tin mill owners. The matter would be held over until Tuesday.