factories in a separate award (see Labour Jotimal No. 115, p. 845),.
as the conditions of these factories and of the workers employed ini
them is very different from the conditions existing in the woollen-
mills.
A very large number of witnesses, mainly from the employees of
the Kaiapoi Company, have been examined before the Court. After
hearing tnese witnesses, between seventy and eighty in number, the
Court visited and inspected in every department the Kaiapoi Mills,
and, after two days' inspection and careful inquiry at the mills, the
Court is satisfied that the workers generally are employed under-
very excellent conditions, and that the company have in these mills-
carefully and effectively provided for the interests of the workers.
The demands of the union are substantially that the hours of
labour should be reduced from forty-eight to forty-five ; that the log.
by which the pieceworkers work should be abolished ; that the em-
ployment of youths should be restricted ; and that preference should
be given to the members of the union.
"The Factories Act, 1901," permits the hours of work in
woollen-mills to be forty-eight per week, and the Court, after fully
satisfying itself that the conditions under which the workers in the;
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
607
Kaiapoi Mills are employed are exceedingly good, sees no reason to
restrict these hours. To do so would seriously hamper the com-
pany, and would also restrict the earning- capacity of the workera
and injure them also.
The demands of the union that the log should, he aholished, and
that a weekly wage at the rates asked by the union should be fixed
for all workers, really amount to an increase asked for of about
£11,000 upon a present wages-sheet of about £25,000 per annum.
A very large proportion of the workers are female workers working
at piece rates. We have considered the evidence carefully, and
have examined the wages- sheets, and have made a careful investiga-
tion into the conditions of the work and the earnings of the piece-
workers, and we are satisfied that no real cause for complaint exists,,
and that these workers are well treated and well paid under the
present system, and we make no alteration in the conditions at
present existing.
In dealing with an industry of this description we have to con-
sider the interests of the industry as a whole. If it is to be success-
fully conducted reasonable provision has to be made for the main-
tenance of the machinery and plant under ever-changing conditions,,
and while it is the duty of the Court to see that the workers are
reasonably and fairly paid for their labour, the Court has also a.
duty to perform to the employer, and to see that the conditions im-
posed are not such as to seriously imperil the existence of the
industry, and so produce results which would be disastrous to the
employers, to the workers, and to the district. Being satisfied,
therefore, that the workers generally are fairly paid under the pre-
sent piecework rates and conditions, it is the duty of the Court to
maintain as far as possible the present conditions. And in this*
present dispute the Court must take into consideration the fact that
the productions of these mills have to be sold in competition with
those of the other woollen-mills in the other industrial districts.
No dispute exists in reference to these mills, nor has the Court any
power to make one award applying to the mills in the other parts
of the colony. It would be manifestly unjust for the Court to
impose special conditions on the Canterbury mills which would
seriously hamper their business and power to fairly compete with
the other woollen-mills in the colony.
With regard to the wages of male workers employed at a weekly
wage, we have fixed the rate of pay for labourers and for men
engaged in what is substantially unskilled work at £2 28. per week^
and have made some few alterations in the rates of pay for male
adult workers in some of the other classes of work. We consider
the circumstances fully justify these rates. We fix the age at which
a male worker is primd facie entitled to the minimum wage for the
class of work at which he is employed at twenty-two years. We do
not restrict the number of youths who may be employed. We have
already in other disputes of a kindred nature intimated that this
Court ought not to debar youths from earning a living at work in
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
508
'which they have hitherto been employed, and which is suitable to
them and which they are fully competent to do. No abuse has
been shown to exist in these mills, and the provisions of the Factory
Act and the scale of wages which we have settled for youths at ages
from fourteen to twenty- two years will, in our opinion, be a suflScient
protection to all parties. If employers desire to employ men on
work which is suited to the capacity of a youth, then they must pay
the men a fair minimum wage for men.
We do not give preference, but have inserted the clauses protect-
ing unionists from being discriminated against and providing that
unionists and non-unionists shall be treated alike. Our reasons for
refusing preference have been already stated above, as we consider
that we ought not to impose upon one set of employers in a special
industry restrictions which we cannot at present apply to other em-
ployers in the same industry and in direct competition with the
Canterbury companies.
We have adopted the committee agreed upon by both sides as a
tribunal for dealing with disputes, the alteration of conditions caused
by new machinery, &c., and for fixing the wages of workers unable
to earn the minimum wage. If this committee, consisting of three
persons to be appointed by the union and three to be appointed by
the employer, cannot agree, then the Chairman of the Board is to
be called in as a seventh member, and the decision of the majority
will be the decision of the committee, and we have provided for an
appeal to the Court from such decision.
The award will take effect on the 1st day of September, 1902,
and continue in force for three years.
Theo. Cooper, J., President.
<115b.) CANTBKBURY woollen-mills employees (IN SMALL
HOSIERY-FACTORIES, CHRISTCHURCH).— AWARD.
As we have already stated in our judgment in the woollen-mills
dispute, we have considered it necessary to make a separate award
in reference to the smaller hosiery -factories in Christchurch and the
suburbs. The conditions existing in these factories are so different
from those in the woollen-mills that we have felt it to be our duty
to place the workers in these small factories on weekly wages, and
to abolish the system of piecework hitherto existing in these
factories. We have therefore prescribed a scale of minimum wages,
commencing at 7s. a week for beginners and rising at six-monthly
intervals for three years to £1 a week, which amount we consider
to be a reasonably fair minimum weekly wage at this class of work
for competent operators in this description of factory.
We have also provided that girls who have attained the age of
eighteen years and are competent operators shall have the minimum
rate of £1 a week, and that in the event of there being any dispute as
to whether such operators are competent to earn this wage the Chair-
man of the Board for this industrial district shall decide the question,
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
509
and shall also decide what amount of wages shall be payable to
other workers who satisfy him that they are not competent to earn
the minimum wages otherwise provided by this award.
As this award makes a variation in the system of payment
hitherto prevailing in these factories, we have made the term twelve
months, so that if necessary the conditions of employment may at
the expiration of this comparatively short period be again sub-
mitted to the Court for adjustment.
Theo. Cooper, J., President.
In the Court of Arbitration of New Zealand, Canteibury Industrial
District. — In the matter of ** The Industrial Conciliation and
Arbitration Act, 1900," and its amendment ; and in the matter
of an industrial dispute between the Canterbury Woollen-milla
Employees' Industrial Union of Workers (hereinafter called
*' the union ") and the following persons (hereinafter called ** the
employers"): Mrs. S. J. Budkin and Co., Sydenham; Miss
Hean, Christchurch ; Miss A. Chambers, Sydenham ; Mrs.
Palmer, Christchurch ; Mrs. Coard, Christchurch.
The Court of Arbitration of New Zealand (hereinafter called **the
Court "), having taken into consideration the matter of the above-
mentioned dispute, and having heard the uilion by its representa-
tives duly appointed, and such of the employers as were present in
person or by their representatives duly appointed, and having also
heard the witnesses called and examined and cross-examined by
and on behalf of the said parties respectively, doth hereby order
and award : That, as between the union and the members thereof
and the employers and each and every of them, the terms, con-
ditions, and provisions set out in the schedule hereto and of this
award shall be binding upon the union and upon every member
thereof and upon the employers and upon each and every of them^
and that the said terms, conditions, and provisions shall be deemed
to be and they are hereby incorporated in and declared to form
part of this award ; and, further, that the union and every member
thereof and the employers and each and every of them shall
respectively do, observe, and perform every matter and thing by this
award and by the said terms, conditions, and provisions respec-
tively required to be done, observed, and performed, and shall not
do anything in contravention of this award or of the said terms,,
conditions, and provisions, but shall in all respects abide by, observe^
and perform the same. And the Court doth hereby further awards
order, and declare that any breach of the said terms, conditions,
and provisions set out in the said schedule hereto shall constitute a
breach of this award, and that the sum of £100 shall be the maximum
penalty payable by any party or person in respect thereof. And the
Court doth further order that this award shall come into operation
on the 1st day of September, 1902, and shall continue in operation
until the 31st day of August, 1903.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
510
In witness whereof the seal of the said Court hath been hereto
put and affixed, and the President of the Court hath hereto set his
hand, this 22nd day of August, 1902.
Theo. Cooper, J., President.
The Schedule hebeinbefobe referbed to.
1. The hours of labour shall be those prescribed by ** The Fac-
tories Act, 1901," and shall be fixed by each employer in accordance
with the provisions of the said Act.
2. Overtime shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of
the said Act.
3. The recognised holidays shall be those prescribed in the said
Factories Act, and the provisions of section 35, subsections (1) and
(2), shall apply to every female worker or boy under the age of
eighteen years.
4. The employment shall be deemed to be a weekly employment,
determinable by a week's notice in writing by either side ; but such
notice shall not be necessary where work is prevented owing to
accident to the mill or machinery. Where owing to slackness of
work or the exigencies of trsuie it is necessary to work short time,
the employer shall, as far as reasonably possible, give employment
for equal time to those hands whom he may retain in his employ-
ment. Workers on short time shall,- subject nevertheless to the
provisions of the Factories Act, only be paid for the time actually
worked.
5. The employment shall be upon weekly wages only, and piece-
work shall not be permitted.
6. The following shall be the minimum rates of wages : For the
:first six months at the trade, 7s. per week ; for the second six
months, 9s. per week ; for the third six months, lis. 6d. per week ;
for the fourth six months, 14s. per week ; for the fifth six months,
168. 6d. per week ; for the sixth six months, 19s. per week ; there-
after the minimum wage of £1 per week : Provided always that any
worker who has attained the age of eighteen years, and who is a
fully competent worker, shall be paid the minimum wage of £1 per
^eek, notwithstanding that she may not have been three years at
the tr6uie.
7. No employer in employing labour shall discriminate against
members of the union, or shall, in the engagement or dismissal of
hands or in the conduct of his business, do anything directly or indi-
rectly for the purpose of injuring the union.
8. When members of the union and non-members are employed
together there shall be no distinction between them, and both
shall work together in harmony, and shall receive equal pay for
^qual work.
9. The term ** employer," where used in this award, shall mean
and include male or female employers.
10. This awfiird shall in all respects be read as subject to the
provisions of the said Factories Act.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
511
11. Should any dispute arise as to whether a worker who has
:attained the age of eighteen years is competent to earn the mini-
mum wage of £1 per week, as provided in clause 6 hereof, then such
-dispute shall be referred to the Chairman of the Conciliation
Board for this industrial district, and his decision shall be final.
12. Any worker who is unable to earn the minimum wage pre-
^scribed in clause 6 hereof may be paid such less wage as may be
£xed in writing by the said Chairman of the said Conciliation Board.
13. This award shall come into operation on the 1st <Jay of
September, 1902, and shall continue in force until the 31st day of
August, 1903.
In witness whereof the seal of the said Court hath been hereto
put and affixed, and the President of the Court hath hereto set his
hand, this 22nd day of August, 1902.
Theo. Cooper, J., President.
^116.) CANTERBURY SAWMILLS AND TIMBER-YARDS DISPUTE.—
AWARD.
In this dispute, in fixing the minimum wages we have substantially
followed the scale we applied both ia Wellington and Auckland
for the workers in the mills and yards. The work of a yardman
in this district being in most cases connected with a combined
-coal and timber yard, the same rates of wages are fixed for each
•class of yard and for a combined yard. The wages in all cases,
except those for youths and carters, are fixed at a daily rate ; and
the week's work, except for carters, is fixed for forty-five hours, that
being the general length of the week's work in these occupations in
Ohristchurch and the suburbs. Where wages are fixed at a daily
rate the calculation is for a day of eight hours, that also being the
^general custom here.
With reference to the employment of youths, the Court in
<lelivering its awards in Wellington and Auckland in these trades
^ave fully its reasons for declining to limit the number. These
reasons are published in full in the Labour Journal j 1902, pages
480, 481.
As regards carters and youths, the wages are weekly, and are to
he paid without deduction for holidays. As regards the other
men, the wages are to be paid weekly, but at a daily rate, and
only for the time worked.
We have fixed the hours for carters at 46^ hours per week,
^exclusive of stable attendance on horses on week-days, Sundays,
4tnd holidays. We do this because, although the ordinary week
for the other men is forty-five hours, there must be a little
•elasticity in the hours fixed for carters to avoid difficulty and
possible friction.
In this dispute we have, after careful consideration, given pre-
ference of employment to unionists, excluding youths under eighteen
â– and casual labourers. Theo. Coopeb, J., President.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
512
In the Court of Arbitration of New Zealand, Canterbury Industrial
District. — In the matter of ** The Industrial Conciliation and
Arbitration Act, 1900/' and its amendment ; and in the matter
of an industrial dispute between the Canterbury Timber-yards,
Sawmills, and Coal-yards Industrial Union of Workers and the
undermentioned persons, firms, and companies (hereinafter
called ** the employers ") : Williams, Stevens, and Co.
(Limited), Christchurch ; Mr. Wren, Sumner; Mr. Duffall,
Christchurch ; C. B. Mason, Amberley; Bartram and Co.,
Lincoln ; J. Hannah, Riccarton ; J. T. Brown and Son,
Christchurch ; Wallace and Laurie, Christchurch ; John
Waller and Son, Christchurch ; J. Ran tin, Christchurch ; the
Executors of J. Goss, Christchurch ; Topliss Bros., Addington ;
W. Hunsley, Christchurch ; J. Redpath, Sydenham ; D.
McCracken, Addington ; Aldridge Bros., Christchurch ; New
Zealand Farmers* Co-operative Association, Christchurch;
Homebush Coal Company, Christchurch; Richards and Dean,
Sydenham ; W. Borthwick, Papanui ; Fulton and Co.,
Sydenham ; Kent and Goodwin, Sydenham ; W. H. Har-
greaves, Christchurch ; R. Johnson, Dallington ; T. and N.
Line, Addington ; G. JJcClatchie and Co., Christchurch ;
Cook Bros., Lyttelton ; Hallis and Brown, Lyttelton ; John
Sims, Kaiapoi ; Gavin Watson, Christchurch ; J. and W. Jamie-
son, Christchurch ; Edmonds and Williams, Christchurch ;
Smith and Smith, Christchurch ; Dearsley and Taylor,
Christchurch ; T. Collan, Christchurch ; Richardson and
Stokes, Christchurch ; Mr. Hopkins, Papanui ; C. W. Turner,
Christchurch ; R. W. England, Christchurch ; W. Pearce,
Papanui ; the Executors of Wm. White and Co., Addington.
The Court of Arbitration of New Zealand (hereinafter called ** the
Court "), having taken into consideration the matter of the above-
mentioned dispute, and having heard the union by its representatives
duly appointed, and having also heard such of the employers as were
present in person or by their representatives duly appointed, and
having also heard the witnesses called and examined and cross-
exammed by and on behalf of the said parties respectively, doth
hereby order and award : That, as between the union and the mem-
bers thereof and the employers and each and every of them, the
terms, conditions, and provisions set out in the schedule hereto and
of this award shall bie binding upon the union and upon every
member thereof and upon the employers and upon each and
every of them, and that the said terms, conditions, and provisions
shall be deemed to be and they are hereby incorporated in and
declared to form part of this award ; and, further, that the union
and every member thereof and the employers and each and every of
them shall respectively do, observe, and perform every matter and
thing by this award and by the said terms, conditions, and provisions
respectively required to be done, observed, and performed, and shall
not do anything in contravention of this award, but shall in all
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
513
respects abide by, observe, and perform the same. And the Court
doth farther award, order, and declare that any breach of the said
terms, conditions, and provisions set out in the schedule hereto
shall constitute a breach of this award, and that the sum of £100
shall be the maximum penalty payable by any party or person in
respect thereof. And the Court doih further order that this award
shall come into operation on the 1st day of September, 1902, and
shall continue in force until the 31sti day of August, 1904.
In witness whereof the seal of the said Court hath been hereto put
and affixed, and the President of the Court hath hereto set his hand,
this 22nd day of August, 1902.
Thbo. Cooper, J., President.
The Schedule hereinbefore referred to.
Hours of Labour.
1. The hours of labour for workers other than carters shall be
forty-five hours per week, and shall be eight hours' work on hve
days of the week and five hours* on one day.
2. The hours of work for carters shall be as follows : A week's
work shall be 46^ hours, exclusive of the time required for the
necessary stable attendance on horses. The working-hours shall
be regulated according to the special requirements of each em-
ployer's business. The hours of work shall be calculated from the
time the driver leaves the stables until the driver returns to the
stables. Overtime to carters shall be paid for the excess of time
worked in any one week over the said period of 46^ hours. The
rate of such overtime shall be, for drivers of one horse, Is. per hour
for the first two hours of such excess and Is. 3d. per hour for the
remainder. For drivers of two horses the rate shall be Is. 3d. per
hour for the first two hours of such excess and Is. 6d. per hour for
the remainder. Holiday work shall be paid for at time and a half,
and Sunday work at double rates (except for the time necessarily
occupied in attendance upon horses).
Overtime for all other Hands.
3. Overtime for all hands other than carters shall be paid at the
rate of time and a quarter for the first two hours, and time and a
half afterwards, and shall be calculated day by day. Work done on
Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Sundays shall be paid for at
double rates, and work done on any of the other holidays shall
be paid for at the rate of time and a half : Provided always that
work required to be done to repair the breakdown of the mill or
machinery where such breakdown causes the stoppage of the mill
shall be paid for at ordinary rates.
Holidays.
4. The recognised holidays shall be New Year's Day, Good
Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, the King's Birthday,
Boxing Day, and Christmas Day.
38 — Disputes.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
5U
Minimum Bates of Wages.
5. The following shall be the minimuDi rates of wages to be
paid in sawmills and factories : First-class machinists, 10s. per
day ( a '' first-class machinist " is a man who is competent co and
whose duty it is to put together, and if necessary repair, the
dififerent parts of woodworking machinery, and in the case of
planing and moulding machines to make such moulding-irons
or other cutters as may be required, and generally to direct
and supervise the working operations of the various machines
under his control) ; second-class machinists, 9s. per day (a ** second-
class machinist " is a man who is competent to and whose
duty it is to set a machine and to grind the knives, to throw
in or out of gear the driving or feed belts, and, by a proper
use of the oil-can, to keep his machine in good running-order) ;
other workers at machines who are not included in one or other of
the above definitions shall be paid the following minimum rates of
wages : If over the age of twenty -one years, 8s. per day ; trom nine-
teen to twenty -one years of age, £1 10s. per week ; from eighteen
to nineteen years of age, £1 5s. per week ; from seventeen to eighteen
years of age, £1 per week ; from sixteen to seventeen years of age,
15s. per week ; under sixteen years of a>ge, 12s. 6d. per week. If
any youth is unable, by reason of infirmity or other cause, to earn
the minimum wage prescribed for his age, he may be employed at
such less wage as may be fixed under the provisions of the general
clause herein relating to incompetent workers. First sawyer ('* the
man who sharpens, sets, and keeps in repair his saws "), Qs. per
day ; other sawyers, Ss. per day ; tailers-out, if over the age of
twenty-one years, 7s. per day ; engine-drivers, when required co
hold a first-class certificate, lOs. per day ; when required to hold a
second-class certificate, 9s. per day ; firemen or drivers without a
certificate, Ts. 6d per day. No overtime shall be paid to any
engine-driver or fireman for the time employed in getting up steam
for the machinery in the sawmill or factory.
6. The following shall be the minimum rates of wages to be paid
to men employed in timber and coal yards : Head yardman, lOs. a
day (a head yardman is a man who is in charge of the unloading
and loading of trucks, wagons, <&c., and who measures timber or
superintends the loading or unloading of coal, and who is also in
charge of the yard and to whose orders other men employed in the
same yard are bound to conform) ; other yardmen, 7s. a day.
Casual labourers shall be paid Is. per hour (a casual labourer is one
who is employed for less than six consecutive days for the full
period of time worked ordinarily on each day). Youths: Under
sixteen years of age, 12s. 6d. per week ; from sixteen to seventeen
years of age, 15s. per week ; from seventeen to eighteen years of
age, £1 per week ; from eighteen to nineteen years of age, £1 5s.
per week ; from nineteen to twenty-one years of age, £1 10s. per
week. Garters : For those driving and attending a single horse,
£2 28. per week ; for those driving and attending two horses, £2 6s.