CONCILIATION BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 163, 23 July 1901, Page 2

CONCILIATION BOARD.

DISPUTE IN THE TIMBER TRADE.

THE AWARD FILED.

When the Conciliation Board gave its finding last Friday in the dispute in the timber trade, it was understood to be somewhat of a. tentative character, in order to allow of any modifications that might be mutually agreed upon by the parties to the dispute. Subsequently the mill-own-ers met, and after discussing the finding, appointed a committee of five to confer with the representatives of the Union on various points. After the conference Messrs. Stallworthy, Phillips and Howlet returned to Aratapu, and consequently were not present at the meeting of the Conciliation Board held this morning, to see what arrangement had been arrived at. The following members were present: Rev. A. H. Collins (chairman), Messrs. John Fawcus, W. H. Lucas and L. J. BagnalL Mr. T. H. White was the only representative present on behalf of the mill-owners. He handed in the following letter, received from Mr. Stallworthy, president of the Union: "I beg herewith to return your paper, with notes as to alterations agreed to, marked. Your request as to reduction of boys' wages was too low down for any idea of acceptance. I have forwarded Rev. Collins, chairman of the Board, a note of our concessions. Please let him see enclosed paper in case there be. auy misunderstanding of his papers. Hoping the award may be accepted."

The letter forwarded by Mr. Stallworthy to the chairman read as follows: "After conference with employers and informal meeting of members of the Union, I am authorised to say that we are willing to amend award as per alteration forwarded. Other alterations asked are not conceded. These concessions are without prejudice to the Union's acceptance or otherwise of the award, and are only made with a desire to meet employers as far as possible. Hoping the alterations made will be clearly comprehended.—l am, yours, etc. (signed), John Stallworthy, president of the North Auckland Timber Workers' Union."

The modifications forwarded by Mr Stallworthy were mostly of an explanatory character, not affecting to any extent the main points of the award.

Mr White said immediately after Friday's adjournment a meeting" of sawmill employers was 'held, and was very largely attended. Some thought the recommendations hard, and greatly in favour of labour, but still a committee of five was appointed to confer with the Union representatives, and they went through the finding carefully clause by clause. Mr Stallworthy agreed to take the minutes of the conference with him to Aratapu and write to the Chairman of the Board as to what alterations were agreed to. That had been done, but the modifications were such that he was not in a position to state to the Board that the millowners were willing to accept the award. As far as the Kauri Timber Company was concerned, it meant an advance of £29 6/ per week in the present pay-sheet, which was a serious matter. For instance, an advance of sixpence per day for the yard labourers alone amounted to £7 10/ per week. The Board -would therefore see that it was a very serious matter. Mr Macklow had informed him it meant aoi increase of 15 per cent on his ■wages list, and other mills were from 10 per cent to 20 per cent increased. Of course the concessions made by Mr Stalbvorthy might make a slight difference. If the. Board would, add these concessions to the finding and then file the award the employers would then h-ave a month in which to decide whether or not an appeal should be made to the Court of Arbitration. Perhaps the town mills might be able to accept the a/ward if certain amendments were made, or, if not, perhaps it would be found advisable, as paying better, to stop work in some departments aJtwgetlier. He had hoped that the matter would have been finally settled by t/he Board, but the position was a serious one for mill-Owners.

Mr Fawcus said he was losing faith in tentative findings. Here they were met to receive decisions, and as there was no representative of the Union present very little could be done beyond making the alterations to which Mr Stallworthy had agreed.

Mr White said Mr Stallworthy had not agreed to what was submitted to him.

Mr Fawcus considered -what had been mutually agreed upon should be accepted, and in the absence of Mr Stallwort'hy no other alterations should be made in the award.

Mr Bagnall said while he was a member of the 80-ard he would not give away his right in making an award.

The Chairman said under the circumstances all the Board could do was to meet in committee and file the

award

Mr White before retiring thanked the Board for the courteous consideration shown. He was satisfied that the members had found what they considered fair according to their knowledge of affairs, but at the same time he must say the award was very hard and very much in favour of the Union. If there was anything the Board could do in the direction of making it easier for mill owners to accept he would be very pleased, as there was no desire to go beyond the Board in this matter.

The Board then went into committee and subsequently filed the award.