CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 157, 3 July 1917, Page 2

CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

GAS EMPLOYEES. Mr T. Harle Giles was occupied the whole of yesterday with the dispute in the pas trade. Ultimately, at o p.m.. the further hearing was adjourned until Monday fortnight to give an opportunity for both sides to consider suggestions made, which, it is hoped, may lead to an amicable settlement being arrived at. PLUMBERS AND GASFITTERS. The Council met this morning to resume consideration of the dispute in the plumbing and gasfttting trade. The hearing was opened in Auckland In May. after which the Council sat. at Gisborne aud Hamilton, then resnmed again in Auckland, and after sitting a day was adjourned until this morning. As the idea is, if possible, to make an award, for the whole Dominion, this morning, in addition to the assessors, there were also present Messrs. ,T. S. Douglas (representing Chrtstehureb and Dunedini. aud Mr AY. Jndd (representing Wellington!. Mr Giles, in opening, remarked that at Hamilton the evidence from the employers was unanimously in favour of 2/6 per hour minimum wage. He had also discovered that plumbing and gaslitting, by the acknowledgment of .both sides, bordered very nearly upon a profession. The crncial point of the dispute was undoubtedly wages. By agreement the Union Company was struck out. The next question was the standing of Messrs. Douglas and Judd nt the Council. Mr Giles said of course they conld not vote, but if the Union agreed they could take part in the discussion. Mr Clark said the Union's aim w»s to secure a complete settlement at the Conn cil. He bad no objections to Mr Douglas and Mr Judd being present and taking part iv the discussion. The Council then went into committee.