ARBITRATION COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2144, 20 March 1908, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT.

SITTING IN WELLINGTON. WHARF LABORERS’ CASE.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 19. The Arbitration Court, at to-day s sitting, proceeded with the hearing of the wharf laborers’ dispute. The Union S.S. C'o., Wellington Harbor Board, and local and foreign-going shipowners were severally represented. . . . The demands of the Lmon included the Saturday half-holiday for all classes of labor or overtime pay in lieu thereof;-an increase of 3d for working cement, lime, manure, and shale; ail increase of 2d for handling coal on the shovel and top work; an increase of 6d for handling frozen produce in freezing chambers, and 3d in cool chambers; proper accommodation and fares for out ports; payment from the time of leaving the place of engagement till returning. Tho demands for holidays are practically tho same as the existing award, except the asking for a special day for a picnic and double overtime on Sundays, Christmas Day, Good Friday, and union picnic day. Double time is asked for working in meal hours. It is also asked that prompter payment of wages and that the weight stipulation should apply to men in the hold as well as on the wharves. Other new features were that tho men should be paid overtime for the time spent “standing by” under orders, and that payment should be from tile time of engagement until they are discharged. In handling beef not less than six men are employed on the side, and that award should apply to permanent hands as well as casuals.

A representative of the employers handed in a statement showing that they were willing to practically adhere to the present award. The case for the Union had not concluded w-hen t-lio Court rose.

The bakers’ dispute will probably be taken to-morrow afternoon.