WELLINGTON SITTINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12768, 1 July 1911, Page 7

WELLINGTON SITTINGS

(Per Pre^s Association.) ' :. ■; - ■ WELLINGTON, Juno 30. Tha Arbitration Court continued its session here to-day. In the carpentersi oispute, which was "commenced yesterday, Mr Grenfell, representing the em.ployers; opposed ' the men's demands. Ho said it .was—a., general complaint jimong the men that work was not constant ; yet now they sought to further limit their earning opportunities. A week of five days would be a calamity io the men He said apprentices were inclined to. malinger, knowing employers had no power to deduct pay for time lost. In regard to preference, employers had been delayed repeatedly through having to run to the union office to examine the Employment Book t-efore taking a man on : The president said there -were only 30 or 40 non-unionists in the trade. Anyone who said, under these circumstances, that getting union men involved delay, must be drawing on his imagination.

Mr Grenfell said employers suggested a clause which <would require observance of preference when unionists and non-unionists presented themselves for employment at the same time. . Evidence having been taken, the Cour^ intimated that-it would tako time to consider its decision.

The Conciliation Board stated a case for the ruling of the Court, as to whether the masters and mates of ressels can apply to the Court as one body lor an award or must make separate application.

After hearing -argument by Mr Weston for the shipowners, and Mr Herdman for the Merchant Service Guild, the Court reserved its decision

Alfred , Abraham Bate, a labourer, claimed £386 from Joseph Neal, contractor, as compensation for injuries through falling down the hold of the steamer Rimutaka'. suffering injuries to his head and neck and internal injuries, as a result of. which he now suffered, from neurasthenia. The question in dispute was tho extent of claimant's 'injuries. After hearing evidence the Court assumed that Bates' incapacity would continue for years, ami awarded a lump sum of £2CO in addition to the £72 already paid jn weekly payments, with crs's (£7 7s) and disbursements.