ENGINEERS' DISPUTE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 16, 29 October 1932, Page 7

ENGINEERS' DISPUTE

A LIVELY DISCUSSION.

MINOR POINTS SETTLED.

(Per Press Association!. WELLINGTON, October 28. When the engineers’ dispute was reopened in the Conciliation Council today a lively discussion took place as to whether the conference should proceed without the presence of the moulders’ representatives, who had intimated inability to attend on account of short notice. Eventually it was decided that the parties represented do their best to arrive at an agreement and leave it open to the moulders to concur if they so desired. The Commissioner, Mr W. Newton, presided. Mr Thurston (Canterbury), for the union, led the discussion, saying that any agreement should involve the three organisations concerned engineers, moulders and boilermakers. The Commissioner said any agreement arrived at would concern only those represented at the sitting. Mr Bishop (for the employers): I want to say quite frankly that it those on the other side of the table are honest ■in their desire to bring about an agreement there is nothing to stop them. If they break off the meeting they are doing it deliberately arid are not honest in their purpose.

Mr Thurston: I object tci that. We are just as honest as you. Mr Bishop. 1 don’t mean it offensively. It’s just as well to get down to brass tacks and understand one another. There is no legal bar to our going ahead to-day.

Mr Thurston; said the only juestion was whether they were prepared to go on without the moulders.

The workers’ representatives retired to discuss the question. Upon their return Mr Thurston announced that they were prepared to proceed. The assessors then proceeded to go through the proposals. An agreement was reached, upon a number of minor points, but the main issues were held over until to-morroW, when the conference will resume.