CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 105, 3 May 1917, Page 2

CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

DISPUTE IN THE GUM TRADE. FIVE BROKERS EXEMPTED. A sitting of the Conciliation Council 'was held to-day, lor the purpose of dealing with a dispute tiled by tne Auckland Uuui \S orkers' U'uion. Thirty-two tiruis were cited. The claim was for increased wages; sorters 1/5 per hour, learuers 1, per hour tor tbe first six uioulhs, 1/2 fur the second six months, afterwards full I pay. Other workers to receive 1/4 per I hour. All work done in a kneeling ix.sl tion. 1/u per hour, casual workers l, ti per hour, double time for work dove on I Sundays and Christmas l>ay. The employers submitted as a counter ; proposal tbe renewal of tbe existing award. Messrs. F. L. Gribben. T. Charter, aud J. F. Montague were the assessors for tbe employers, with Mr. S. F. Wrigbt as advocate. Messrs. J. Culhnne (secretary). K. T. Taylor, and A. Galbrallh were tbe assessors for the ■ union. J Mr T. Harle Giles (Commissioner) said the main issue was the rate of pay. The union were asking for a considerable advance. He had received four applications for exemption. One was from Mr J. H. Blair, on the grounds that he was a broker only, and did not employ any labour. The other applicants claiming exemption were Messrs. L. D. Nathan, W. S. Whitley, and A. K. Paterson. They applied for exemption ns being gum brokers, and not gum dealers In tbe ordinary sense of the term. These firms simply received gum ou behalf of clients, audi offered facilities for gum merchants to i examiue nnd buy. lie bad also be. a informed that Mr J. M.llveen was also entitled to be exempt on similar grounds. Mr Culbane said tbe union was quite well' aware that the linns mentioned did not I grade gum. but they had to be oiled ill order to get at brokers who did grade gum. Mr Taylor said he was quite satisfied for Mr Blair and Mr M.llveen to be exempted.! Mr Charter said A. S. Paterson and Co., did no grading, and worked 4-1 hours in i their establishment instead of 47 ns asked j by the union. I Finally it was agreed. Mr Taylor dis-1 senting. to exempt the four firms named, i bo long as workers were not engaged in '. sorting ami grading gum. I The Council passed the 47-hour week. [ rates for boys and youths. untler-ra'.-' worker, holiday aud preference clauses of I the old award, and went into commit'ee on I the other points. i By noon a rull setlement of the disonte Had been arrived at. Increases beinc -iv™ ; as follows: From 1/21 to 1 :u, m,i to 10»d (first six months., lid to 1/ eicnnd K_ I mouths,, 1/14 to l/o for work kneeling I(. to 1/7. The awards run from Mir i 11)17, to May 1. lyjs. On the motion of Mr. Gribhiu. seconded by Mr. Culhaue a rote of thanks was accorded Mr. Gib-, 'r-r ! his valuable aid iv securing an amicable l settlement. ™ c ;