TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 51, 1 March 1901, Page 2

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

When the Board resumed this morning the consideration of clause 7 took place. It read: "Members of the Union to have preference of employment to nonUnlonists."

Mr Rosser spoke in support of the granting the preference clause, as the Unions had to stand the cost of proceedings. He therefore claimed it was only right that members of Unions should have the preference in the matter of employment. Men ■who would not join a union were quite ready to accept anything gained by the Union.

Mr T. T. Maseflelfl saia the question of preference was detrimental to the interest of both masters and men. Many good workmen, for various reasons, would not .loin a union, and he saw no reason why such men should be debarred from employment. He considered such a clause should not be allowed. Then they had the fact that Messrs Price BrotHers' men, ■who were the pick of the trade, would not join a union. Mr Fowler agreed with Mr Masefield. He thought no employer should make any distinction between Unionists and noriTTnlonists. He acknowledged the right of the men to try and better themselves, fcut considered such distinctions would «M»fl \n trouble.

Mr Beaney salo" he would not be preparefl to dismiss a man who haa been with him 16 years simply because he was not ;i member of the Union. His men hart been with him for many years, and ho would not turn off any hands to make room for new ones.

Ml' Bnprnnll said It was only If a Union man was equal to the other that he should have the preference. It waa never ln-

tended that any man should be dismissed from his employment.

Mr Collins said he claimed the liberty to employ the man he thought would best, suit him. lii he could not do that he would part with his man and do the work himself. He was willing to pay the wages fixed by the Board, but wouJS rot be ordered as to what man ho should employ. Mr Rtley said great stress was laid upon the question of preference to Unionists. Mr Masefleld employed nothing but Unionists, trnilr the man Mr Fowler had in hife employ was also a member of the Union, so preference to Unionists would not cause trouble. Mr Boaney hud only two nonUnion men. In fact, out of the 30 moulders in Auckland 26 were already members of the Union. Mr Coliins had no Unionist in his establishment, and told one who applied that he would not put a Unionist on.

Mr Collins explained that a non-Unionist came first and got the position. When the Unionist applied he told him he would not put on a Union man and that he w»ia going to employ a new arrival. Mr Bagnall said Mr Collins had made a mistake in expressing his opinion that way, no matter what lie thought.

Mr Collins explained that he said he; would not put nn a Unionist on/that occasion. Afterwards, when he found that the non-Unioniat was unsuitable to his work, he asked for the Unionists ■who had applied before.

Mr McGowan said there wore not 2! nonUnionists in the SOOO moulders in Scotland. In England he did believe there were mure than ;iO non-Unionist moulders. He held there were as good moulders in Auckland as at the Thames.

Mr Rossor said he knew that Plymouth Brethren had religious scruples against joining a union or anything- else but their own church. He was not aware of any members of that sect being in the moulding trade. There was no desire that any man should be dismissed because he was not a member of a union.

Mr Alison pointed out that the clause as submitted gave no option.

Mr Bagnall said he knew there wore Plymouth Brethren moulders at the

Thames.

The Chairman remarked it •would be better \£ something more than the mere bald statement nf claim was submitted, it was evident from Mr Rosser's statement they did not exnect the clauses to be passed exactly as submitted.

Mr Masefleld said the masters' main objection was that if 10/ per day was fixed as the wage every member of the Union would expect that amount, whether worth it or not. i

Mr Bafrnali said the Act had not yet be<vi really tested. Tt was when bad times came and work was dull they would see how the Act worked. Personally he thought it a good measure.

The Chairman announced that the Board would endeavour to give tho finding in this case on Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.

Mr Masefir-ld, on behalf of the employers, thanked the Chairman, and members of tho Board for the kind consideration shown them, nnrl the manifest spirit of fair play shown In the proceeding's. Mr Rosser endorsed Mr Mnsefield's remarks. • The Chairman thanked the gentlemen for tho expressions given of appreciation of the spirit and Intention of the Board to act fairly with nil parties. CARPENTERS' DISPUTE. The Chairman announced that the finding in the dispute in the carpentering trade would, it was hoped, be delivered at 10 a.m. next Wednesday.