AUCKLAND CONCILIATION BOARD.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11012, 9 July 1901, Page 6

AUCKLAND CONCILIATION BOARD.

• AN EMPLOYER'S CANDID ' OPINION. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, July 8. " The Conciliation Board met this morning ,' to consider the djsnute in the tanners and v curriers' trade. The Union of Workers " l asked that the agreement under which the -" employers and operatives had been working for the last two years shonld be renewed, filed in Court, and then signed for the ensuing three years. The agreement is on ■ practically the same terms as the last <x»y, " with, the exception of fche clause fixing thtf , " uniform minimum wage at £2 10s per week, instead of Is an hour. "Mr.Regan, on behalf,,' of the Union, said the employers had aJjl agreed to the conditions asked for by tht Union. The Union had got a telegram from the south asking them to withdraw their claim in favouf of a lugher one as they were ■ .going m for a higher "rate of wages in tie south—ls 4|d an hour in Christchurch, and Iβ 6d an hour in Wellington. However, H&-— '-j would not ba a party to such a dishonourable • =" action as to agree to the southerners' w- '- quest. It would 'be a breach of faith with the Auckland employers. Speaking for the -, employers, Mr Warnock said the demand of - " the men, he thought, was a very reasonable * - one, and Ireland Bros, were the only em-. ' ployers who would not agree to the terms" ' fixed. Mr Talbot (representinglreland Bros.) * said he had not signed the agreement and t did not intend to sign it. Mr Alison, a mem* "■'■ jber of the Board, had a short conference with Mr Talbot,' as the result of which Mr Talbot said ;.—"Well, after, my conversation '- with Mr Alison, and ssdng that other employers have, left Ireland Bros, in a hole, - and seeing that the law is an abomination in ' ! the land, I will agree .to the agreemens. This Court I look on as a mere nontntity, and site here for tire benefit of employees. You know nothing of tbes>e matters, but you simply agree to what is* pkctd bafore = you by the Union." It was stated that the '; new agreement would be filed, and would come into force on August 9th, for three '' years. The Chairman said it was always a '*• matter of satisfaction to the Board when -. they were able to settle.a case in thif> way' without going to the Court. Mr Wamock '-; said he thought the men's demands were very reasonable, considering the xinreason-' - aibk demands which w-ere now being mode in the south, and which, if granted, would' have the effect of closing some of the factories.