BOARD OF CONCILIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 203, 31 August 1897, Page 2

BOARD OF CONCILIATION.

END OF THE SITTING,

After we wenb to press yesterday a little discussion took place ab the Board of Conciliation subsequent to the statements by tho parties interested that they accepted the final recommendations as submitted. The Chairman, Rev, George Burgess, explained that bhe Board had not been prepared to depart from the basis of the recommendations which ib had arrived at after carefully bearing the evidence. The Board was of opinion that any alteration made would tend to increase tho conciliatory action of the recommendations. He closed by saying, "Thab, gentlemen, concludes the case thab is before the Board. lam exceedingly glad that in the first case before this Board you have been able to arrive at a satisfactory settlement, which still does nob wholly please either party, and therefore musb be equitable to both. THANKING THE BOARD. Mr Ranson said : MI thank you, gentlemen, on behalf of the shipowners for bhe patienb manner in which you have heard this caea, and for the fairness wibb which you have treated both parties interested I wish to thank you one and all. Mr Belcher: I also beg to thank the Board for the decieion it has given in bhis case, and for the great efforts made to conciliate matters between both parties. The Board has been ab great paina in carrying out the dutieß devolving upon it. I very much regret indeed thab there has been very great misapprehension with regard to myself. You will pardon me for alluding to myself, but there is no doubt a wrong impreesion has gob abroad which has been broughb aboub by certain statements made here. I now ask you, gentlemen, if I have nob been as anxious to conoiliate in this matter aa any one concerned in it. Thab I have endeavoured to be conciliatory in my attitude was shown this morning in the points on which I gave way as concessions, and yet it has been made oub by other people thab I have nob shown a conciliatory disposition in this dispute. It would only be an act of justice and conrtesy that those who have made the unnecessary allegations aboub myself should withdraw them. Mr Ranson : I think it is nob a matter bo enter into at this stage. I think, Mr Chairman, if I had done anything wrong you would have drawn me up, as you kept a masterful band all through. Mr Niccol : There is no occasion to exaggerate what Mr Belcher said. The public has simply formed conclusions as to Mr Belcher's attitude from the accounts as published by tho press. 1 don't think Mr Belcher realises how very objectionable his attitude waa at times. The Chairman -. 1 think when conciliation has been effected we should not raise questions which might cause further feeling, and it ia not now before the Board nor was it in the order of reference. On behalf of the Board I thank you for the expressions of confidence you have given in its integrity in endeavouring to arrive at a satisfactory settlement. This closed the sitting.