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The union disagreed with the recommendations of the Board, and the Arbitration Court dealt with the case in November. Octobee, 1897. Wellington. The Building Trades dispute between the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners and the Wellington Builders' and Contractors' Association and other employers in the trade came before the Board in October. The society submitted the following statement: — (1.) That forty-five hours shall constitute a week's work, divided as follows : Eight hours and a quarter for the first five days, and three hours and three-quarters on Saturday. (2.) That the minimum rate of pay be Is. 4d. per hour. (3.) That all overtime work and work on holidays be paid for at the rate of time and a quarter for the first two hours, and time and a half after two hours. (4.) That ou all outside contracts employers shall provide a properly secured place for the safety of employes' tools, and also necessary sanitary conveniences. (5.) That the proportion of boys, apprentices, and non-tradesmen employed by any"employer or firm of employers in carpentering- or joiningwork be not more than one to every five tradesmen. (6.) That the distance for men walking to their work shall be as far south as Newtown Park ; north, Pipitea Point; west, Grant Road; and east, Point Jerningham. Outside of these distances employers shall provide conveyances, or pay fare and time for travelling to the job. (7.) That members of this society, or any other properly constituted union of carpenters and joiners, shall have prior right of employment. (8.) That no piecework whatever be allowed on any job. The union notified its desire to add a further clause to the effect that employes must have two hours' notice of discharge. The question as to the proper mode of procedure was raised, and the Board adjourned sine die ; the employes to make their demands to the employers, who would then have to either agree to the demands or let the case go before the Board. This was done, and the Board met in November to consider the case. Tailoring Dispute. —■ The Court of Arbitration met to deal with the dispute between the Tailors' Union and Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains and the D.1.C., who had stood out of the agreement between the union and other firms which had been recommended by the Conciliation Board in April. These two employers objected to the recommendation of the Board, on the ground that any other firm would be able to take advantage of the whole trade of Wellington being bound for two years by bringing outside workers into Wellington, thereby entering into safe and unfair competition. After a conference between the disputing parties the Court announced that the firms had agreed to the union log, and the following award was made and agreed to: — That the D.I.C. and Kirkcaldie and Stains and the union be bound by the terms and conditions of the industrial agreement filed in the Court for the term of the agreement; provided that, if any other person or firm in conducting their business shall not conform with such terms and conditions, the union shall take the necessary steps to compel them to do so within a period of fourteen days after notice from the employers ; and if the union fails to commence and carry out proceedings, or if in taking such proceedings it shall be unable to compel such persons or firms to conform with the terms or conditions, then the parties bound by this award shall thereafter be released from compliance with the terms and conditions laid down. Beefton. Gold-mining dispute between the Inangahua Miners' Industrial Union of Workers and the following companies : The Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand, the Welcome Gold-mining Company, and the Keep-it-Dark Gold-mining Company, and the Inkerman Combined Gold-mine 3 Company. The Big Eiver Company and the Globe and Progress Mines of New Zealand were afterwards included in the dispute. The recommendations of the Conciliation Board in August were not accepted by both parties, and the case was referred to the Arbitration Court, which sat in September, and made an award as follows: — Wages at the following rates shall be paid by each of the above-named companies, and shall be accepted by the said union and the members thereof: (1.) Shift-bosses, per shift, lis. Bd. (2.) Timber-men, per shift, lis. Bd. (3.) Men employed in rise, winze, or shaft, per shift, 10s. (4.) Miners, per shift, 9s. 6d. (5.) Truckers, per shift, Bs. (6.) Battery-feeders, per shift, Bs. (7.) Pick-and-shovel men, per shift, Bs. 6d. (8.) Ordinary surface labour, per shift, Bs. (9.) Men in charge of shift at batteries, per shift, 10s. (10.) Men working rock-drills, per shift, 10s. (II.) Engine-drivers and wheel-men, per shift, lis. Bd. (12.) Blacksmiths, per shift, lis. Bd. to 13s. 4d. (13.) Bracemen, per shift, 9s. And this Court doth hereby further award that the work of each of the above-named companies shall be conducted subject to the conditions and obligations hereafter mentioned, that is to say,— (1.) The Sunday night shift to go on at 1 a.m. The day shift to go on at 8 a.m. on Monday, and knock off at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The afternoon shift to go on at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and knock off at 8 p.m. (2.) That where the main shaft exceeds 250 ft. in depth, and where there is machinery, the company shall at all times lift the men. (3.) That where tenders for work are called for written specifications shall be provided to work by. (4.) The Christmas holidays shall commence on Christmas Eve and end New Year's Day, both days inclusive. The Queen's Birthday and Labour Day shall also be holidays. (5.) That no work shall be done on Sunday or during any of the holidays above mentioned, except that which is of absolute necessity. (6.) Each of the above-named companies, in employing labour, shall not discriminate against members of the union, and shall not either directly or indirectly do anything with a view to injure the union. Members of the union shall work in harmony with non-union men. And this Court doth further award and order that this award shall be binding upon the said union and its members, and upon each of the above-named companies; and shall remain in force, and its provisions be enforceable, for a period commencing at. this present date and ending on the 30th day of Spetember, 1899. A Golding-mining dispute between the Inangahua Miners' Industrial Union of Workers and Andrew McKay, contractor, had been referred to the Arbitration Court; but, as the said Andrew McKay had failed to appear or be represented before the Court, after notice had been given him, the following award was made, to be accepted by both parties :— Wages at the following rates shall be paid by the said Andrew McKay, and shall be accepted by the said union and the members thereof: (1.) Pick-and-shovel men, per shift, Bs. 6d. (2.) Blacksmiths, per shift, lis. Bd. to 13s. 4d. And this Court doth further award and order that this award shall be binding on the said union and its members, and upon the said Andrew McKay; and shall remain in force, and its provisions be enforceable, for a period commencing at this present date and ending on the 30th day of September, 1899.

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