TIMED FOR MIDNIGHT

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 194, 14 August 1920, Page 7

TIMED FOR MIDNIGHT

SUGAR WORKERS' STRIKE. j NEGOTIATIONS THIS END FAIL. CABINET ON DISPUTE. While it is yet possible, it i 9 considered improbable, that a settlement in the sugar workers' dispute will be reached in time to avoid the men going out on strike, despite the fact that Cabinet to-day is considering the matter, and the Conciliation Comini*sioner, Mr. Newton, has not yet expended his efforts in the direction of effecting a settlement. All action necessary has been taken in respect to the union's decision, the report that members would meet to-night being ineoirect, the next meeting being set down for to-morrow afternoon at the Trades Hall. Should all efforts at settlement be abortive the men will cease operations at midnight on Sunday, when, in the ordinary course of events, trie shift that will go off at that hour would have been relieved by another shift, and this second shift be relieved eight hours later by yet another shift. CABINET'S ENTRY. Advice that Cabinet is engaged to-da3' on the dispute came to the union secretary, Mr. Purtell, from Mr. \V. E. Parry, M.P., last evening, in the form of a telegraphic communication. It was set out as follows: —"T have interviewed the Hon. Mr. Lee. He wants you to wire the points in dispute, especially wages increase. Cabinet is meeting to-morrow." This was replied to this morning as follows: —"Union wants 44 hours, company 48. Will accept overtime at rate of time and a-half first three hours, double after. Holidays: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Picnic Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Anniversary Day, King's Birthday. Weekly rate wanted: Minimum now £3 14/, want £4 14/, i.e., £1 increase per man all round, and 6/ retrospective payment from May." While the union has been working during the week to gain its ends, the Company it is stated has been gradually putting the men off, witlh the result that only about 70 will bet in to-night's last shift. The shifts, three in all. extend over eight-hour periods, from 12 to 8, 8 to 4, and 4 to 12. UNION. OPPOSES ARBITRATION. The Union secretary reviewed recent happenings in the dispute this morning. He stated that t)he Conciliation Commissioner had suggested a special sitting of the Arbitration Court to hear the dispute. The union asked whether before agreeing to this the employers would recommend payment to its members of the Arbitration Court's basic wage of 14/8 per day. The local representatives of the Company submitted the request to Ohe Sydney head office, and the decision in the negative was conveyed to the union yesterday afternoon by the Conciliation Commissioner. Consog quently the union decided not to participate in the proposed Arbitration proceedings. Mr. Purtcll's parting shot was that with the exception of agreeing to the union's claim for retrospective pay of 6/ from May the employers had refused to concede any of the others. * The Conciliation Commissioner also something to say :n respect to the matter this e morning. The position, he said, remained the .same as yesterday. The union refused to apree to the Arbitration Court dealing with the dispute, the contention being that if the Court could settle it, it also .could he settled without having to go to the Court. The union still held out for increase in wages on the hasis of the original demand. He was still In communication with the respective parties, and continued hopeful of a settlement being reached. The membership of the union is between 170 and 180, half of whom, stated the secretary this morning, only receive £3 14/ per ■week. A number of these men live across the harbour, and the balance in the city. It is customary for those members of tl.e late shift resident in tV city to leave this side of the harbour for the works by steamer at 11 p.m, but it is mere than probable that to night, the twinkling stars will not lco,v duwn upon fe-.i'oh an errand.