FERRY EMPLOYEES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 69, 21 March 1919, Page 7

FERRY EMPLOYEES.

"WAGES AND CONDITIONS.

BEFORE LABOUR COMMITTEE

A conference called for this morning by Mr. T. Harie Giles, Conciliation Commissioner, was held to-day to inquire into the matter of a dispute filed by the Devonport Ferry Company, and the Takapuna Tramways and Ferry Com pany's Union of Workers against the employers in relation to wages and conditions. A 48-hour week was asked for and more pay.

The representatives of the union were Messrs. f. J. Kane, A. Howard, and Captain C. Windsor. The two companies were represented by the Hon. E. W. Alison, A. Alison, F. Mortimer, and James Kerr.

Mr. Giles explained that the conference was held under the Labour Disputes Investigation Act, which applies only to societies or unions who are for the time being bound by no award or industrial agreement under the Industrial. Conciliation, and Arbitration Act of 1908. This union had no award, and therefore rightly came under the clause quoted. The first step was to endeavour to settle the matter amicably before setting up a Labour Disputes Committee. He regretted the short notice given, which was due to his beinn at Waihi. He only got the papers on Wednesday night, and called the meeting forthwith. The Act was peculiar, in that it only allowed 14 days to do the whole thing from the time the notice reached the hands of the Minister for Labour.

Mr. Alison said under the Act provision was made that special notice be given the Minister.

Mr. Kane said that was posted on the 11th.

Mr. Alison asked why the union on the 11th wrjte to his company and at the same time communicated with the Minister? The letter from the union asked the Company to reply within seven days if the claim would be gi anted. The same day the union asked the Minister for Labour to give notice of the dispute. They were supposed to deal with disputes in an amicable manner, yet.the union had at once tried to create a dispute b\- communicating with the Minister.

Mr. Kane said he need not have communicated with the Company at all. He simply followed the regulations under the Act. The Minister would not set up a committee if a settlement had been arrived at.

Mr. Alison said it showed there was no conciliatory intention on the part of the union.

Mr. Kune said it was a matter ot courtesy that he wrote to the Company.

Mr. Alison asked had it come to such a state of affairs in New Zealand that there was no intention to try conciliation first? He desired to take exception to his Company being placed in such a position. They only got notice of the conference yesterday afternoon to meet at 9.30 a.m. next day. If the Act was to be dealt with in such a tyrannous manner, then God help the country!

Mr. Giles said he considered the Act shockingly weak in some points. He considered it was wrong to place employers in such a position.

Mr. Kane said the blame was not his: the fault lay with those who framed and passed the Act.

Mr. Giles said he believed that in every dispute in which Mr. Alison was an assessor a settlement had been arrived at. He found thjt Mr. Alison was a fair-minded man whenever he came before the Counciliation Council.

Mr. Alison asked what vas the course in the event or a settlement not being arrived at in conference?

Mr. Giles said that a labour Disputes Committee would then be set up. Three delegates would then be appointed by each side, and they should elect a chairman. In the event of a chairman not being agreed upon, then the Minister would appoint one. Clause 10 barred the Conciliation Commissioner from having a casting vote if he was chairman.

Mr. Kane said it was eleven months since he first started to fotm this union, nnd it had been hung up.

Mr. Alison said the Labour Disputes Investigation Act seemed to be designed to take prompt action to avert a strike. He did net think there was danger of a strike, but be was happy to state it there was a strike, the Company was in a position to still keep the service going in the interests of the public generally.

At this stage, on the motion of Mr. Alison, seconded by Mr. Kane, the con ference agreed to go into committee.

When the Conference resumed it was announced that nothing had been settled as the representatives of the union stood firm upon their demand for a 48----hour week, and increased wages, which meant a reduction of hours on the time now worked. As the union .was determined not to compromise in any shape or form, the dispute now passes on to the Labour Disputes Committee.

The Hon. E. W. Alison maved a vote of thanks to Mr. T. Harle Giles for the manner in which he had conducted the proceedings, and also for the valuable information he had furnished as to the provision of the Labour Disputes Investigation Act. This was seconded by Mr. Keene and carried.

Mr. Alison said he regretted very much that the Act was so vague in its character that to comply with all its provisions in the short time available, was almost beyond the power of anyone, as only fourteen days were allowed. As tho company only received the information yesterday of that meeting they could not be fully prepared to go on, seeing that everything had to be completed by the 26th of this month.