NZ Magistrate

Investigates Cook Is.

Conditions of Employment

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, June 20.

rE long-awaited “wages-tribunal” has been concluded. Magistrate J. A. Gil mour, of the NZ Industrial Court, arrived in Rarotonga by plane on June 2, and the sittings, which were on June 4, and concluded on June 12. The purpose of the tribunal was to investi gate thoroughly wage claims and general conditions of employment in the Cook Islands.

Members appointed to represent the various interests on the tribunal were as follows: Mr. L. Cook, representing the Administration and the Department of Island Territories; Mr. F. W. Bateson, manager of A. B. Donald Ltd, for the business firms; Mr. W. J. Wigmore, for plantation owners; Mr. Tautu Aneru, for wharf labourers; Mr. Ua Tamarua, for plantation labourers; Mr. Piri Maoate, for all other classes of labour.

The claims presented for consideration were on behalf of waterside workers, plantation labourers, administration lab ourers and such employees as native clerks, native police, native medical prac titioners and native wireless operators 4 and employees of small local factories, stores and hotels.

Specific claims were entered by the watersiders and some other classes of labour—B/- per day being the general figure asked. Lesser figures were sug gested for some other types of labour, and, in a few cases (including store em ployees) no specific claims were made.

Time and a half on ordinary days and double time on Sundays was the general suggestion for overtime, but in the case of the wharf workers there was a long, sliding scale of overtime rates and other extras.

A general request for accident compen sation met with approval.

That Mr. Gilmour gave a very patient and fair hearing to both sides of all the matters under discussion is the general impression.

At the conclusion of the tribunal he made a thorough inspection of the vari ous places of employment and accom modation for workers. He visited orange, tomato and native food plantations. The agricultural department arranged a de monstration of the processing and pack ing of oranges for shipment. He also had the opportunity for first-hand study of ship loading operations both on the wharf and aboard the “Maui Pomare.”

Representatives of the outer islands were given an opportunity to present their views on matters concerning their own people.

In the short time left at his disposal, Mr. Gilmour interested himself in every phase of native life. On the eve of his departure he was the guest of the people! at an “umukai” (ceremonial feast) or ganised by the Arikis, and later attended a dance and supper in his honour ar ranged by the various groups of workers.

After considering all the evidence placed before him, Mr. Gilmour will for ward his recommendations to the govern ment at an early date.

Soon after his return to Fiji re cently, after serving in the NZEF since the beginning of the war. Captain Oliver Edwards married Miss Elizabeth Chap man, of Navua.