ARBITRATION COURT.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16545, 14 July 1925, Page 9

ARBITRATION COURT.

SHOPKEEPERS' AWARD.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Monday. Arising from the agreement reached in the Conciliation Court on the Gisborne shopkeepers' award, over which a technical difficulty had arisen, tho Arbitration Court was asked to add certain parlies to the award.

Mr Hammond said where the closing- hour for the weekly half-holiday was discussed at the Conciliation Council the employers did not want the closing hour fixed at 12.30 p.m., because it was possible the half-holiday in Gisbornc might some time bo changed from Thursday, as at present, to Saturday. The employers' representatives, however, promised that so Jong as Thursday remained 12 o'clock would be observed as the closing hour, although the agreement did not fix the closing hour. The union representatives agreed, but they were going back on it now.

Mr Hammond also touched on the question of wages and holidays, as agreed to at the Conciliation Council, but, since repudiated by the union. He submitted that the whole merits of the case were with the employers. Mr Croskery said he failed to find any reference showing where the Court had done what Mr Hammond asked under section 94 of the Shops and Offices Act. He knew nothing about the agreement till July, when he received a. copy of the agreement. He considered the union had made a mistake. The Gisbornc Union now knew they would be better off under the Dominion award.

The Court reserved its decision.