H.—ll

V

Wellington Typographers' award: This case was based on the fact of a penalty of £10 having been inflicted by the Arbitration Court on the proprietors of a newspaper for having employed a youth at less than award rates, but the back wages had not been paid, or ordered to be paid. The Chief Justice, sitting in the Supreme Court in appeal from Stipendiary Magistrate's decision, gave judgment for the payment of the short wages and costs. On the case being sent to the Court of Appeal the judgment of the Chief Justice was affirmed. ("Awards," Vol. vii, pages 163 and 499.) Wellington Coachworkers' award: The case turned on a clause in award stating that "no piece-work shall be allowed," and this was disputed as applying where a man contracted to supply labour only for jobbing and piecework. The Court decided that a slight variation in making contract would give the Court jurisdiction or would not. Statement too vague for interpretation. (" Awards," Vol. vii, page 531.) Wellington Drivers' award : Interpretation asked whether an employer can regulate the length •A each separate working-day as he pleases, if he does not exceed the number of hours per week mentioned in the award. The Court agreed that to so regulate length of day in such case is the privilege of the employer, but this could not be done capriciously. ("Awards," Vol. vii, page 532.) Application for award by the Shipmasters' Association of New Zealand Industrial Union of Workers: Refused on the ground that captains of vessels are not workers, their work being neither manual nor clerical, but to command and navigate ships. Application dismissed. ("Awards," Vol. vii, page 709.) Napier Wharf Labourers' award: An application to obtain interpretation. Men engaged at Napier were employed lightering frozen meat at Gisborne, and there was a question which award governed the case. The Court decided that the place of engagement governs the ease as to which award obtains. (" Awards," Vol. vii, page 722.) Christchurch Tailoring Trade award: It was alleged that a tailoring firm took an order for a suit of clothes and sent it to a factory to be made up. It was held by the Court that, as the suit had been supposed to be "tailor-made," and as it had been "fitted on," the award had been broken, and therefore a penalty was inflicted. ("Awards," Vol. vii, page 413.) Wellington Tailors' award:! Similar case to that last mentioned. Respondent fined (" Awards," Vol. vii, page 728.) Decision of the Supreme Court in case stated by the President of the Arbitration Court as to jurisdiction of latter Court over seamen employed in and beyond New Zealand. The Chief Justice with the other Judges of the Supreme Court gave long and exhaustive explanations of the position in dispute, and ruled that the award is the law of a New Zealand ship, whether in New Zealand waters or beyond. For example, the Union Steamship Company is bound; the HuddartParker Company is not bound. ("Awards." Vol. vii, page 729. ) Otago Coal-miners: Judgment given in the Supreme Court as to application to prohibit n certain industrial dispute being heard by the Conciliation Hoard. The principal point contended for was that the differences as to wages, hours, (fee, had not constituted an industrial dispute. The Court decided that the Conciliation Board had necessary jurisdiction. ("Awards," Vol. vii, page 316.) Wellington Cooks and Waiters' award: Interpretation required whether union would forfeit the right of preference if it refused to admit Chinese cooks to membership. Arbitration Court held that right of preference in the particular case would be lost if a Chinese cook of good character was refused membership of union. (Labour Journal, May, 1907, page 518.) The expenses incurred by the Boards of Conciliation and Court of Arbitration on the vote of the Department of Labour are hk follows:— £ s d Conciliation Boards ... ... ... ••■ 818 19 ? Arbitration Court ... ... ... ... 3,706 8 3 4,525 7 11 Full particulars concerning details of industrial unions tire contained in a separate parliamentary paper headed " Return showing the Number of Members in each Industrial Union." Strikes in New Zealand. During the year two industrial disputes have disturbed the usual quietude of the colony in regard to strike and lock-out. On the 14th November, 1906, si short strike occurred, conducted