ARBITRATION COURT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12184, 27 March 1909, Page 5

ARBITRATION COURT.

DAIRY WORKERS' DISPUTE

(Per Press Association.)

,PALMERSTON N-, March 26. Tho Arbitration Court sat here today.

In the dairy workers' dispute, Mr Reardon (for the Union) explained the demands of the workers, emphasising the demand for pieference to Unionists and brought a quantity of evidence to prove that the present conditions regarding the labour and wages of employees were unsatisfactory. Mr Pryor, for the employers, asked that no award be made, saying that the existence of the dairying industry was at stake and an award might cause the closing down of factories and bring ruin to dairy farmers. He likened the present conditions of the dairy industry to those of the flax indiisry when an award was asked for. To base an award on tho present conditions spslt disaster, and the wages of the dairy factory hands had been increased without the award. A farmer would have to pay for the increased working cost, and the dairying districts of the Dominion were awaiting the result of the case before acting. ■..'...-.,... , .

In evidence, C. R. Beattie said local factories would show no profit for' the past throe" rears' working. This was duo partly to speculative buying and the-- giving of fictitious values. A reduction in the price of butter was certain. A fall in the price, of cheese was probable and..the<failureof London ami New Zealand Anns would seriously- affect the coining winter's prospects. The local market would be glutted. Many farmers gave evidence as to profits, one stating' that in 1907 he cleared for the maintenance of himself and a grown up .family of five employed on'the farm £146.

His Honour asked if the industry was in such a perilous state that the workers could not be paid a fair wage. Mr Pry or said what farmers could pay now they might not be able to pay a year hence. '. Judge Sim suggested a short-dated award. '

Mr Prvor said the industry varied so a?i to make a fair basis award impossible. It had failed in Canterbury and Taranaki. Mr Pry or submitted a counter proposal of butter factories wag6s £2 where one adult other than the manager is employed, with free s leeping accommodation, where two £2 5s first assistant, ;G2 second assistant; whore tbfeo employed, first £2" 10s. second £2 os, third £2: hands other than youths, £1 los (all sleeping accommodation free): creameries' managers £2 with allowances • youths of 16 not loss than 15s; 16 to 18 years, £1; 18 to 20, 30s. Ho wished butter and cheese makers to 7>r> dropped. The case ill be continued to-morrow.