CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14907, 4 March 1914, Page 4

CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

TAXI-DRIVERS , DISPUTE

A TECHNICAL POINT

Before Mr J. It. Triggs, Conciliation Commissioner, at Provincial Council Chambers yesterday, tho Christ* church taxi-cab drivers' dispute wa* called on. ... The assessors for the taxi-dnvefe were Messrs AY. Harrison, Hiram Hnn* ter, and F. McTciguc. Mr F. Cooper, secretary of the employers' Association, was present. The Commissioner said that the omployers cited had written him, stating that they did not intend to attend tho sitting of tho Council. Hβ nsked Mr Hunter if the tnion was registered. . Mr Hunter said that the tnion was a branch of the Canterbury Drivers Union. Under Section 8 of the Aot it was provided that "every branch of a trade union ehall be considered a distinct union, and may bo eepurateiy registered ac an industrial union under Mr Cooper pointed out that Iho Christchurch Taxi-Drivers' Union was not registered under tho Act. Mr Hunter referred to the citation papers lodged with tho Clerk of Awards, which were headed. "Canterbury Drivers' Union, Taxi-Cab Drivers Branch. Mr Cooper said that tho citatidn papers received by tho employers inferred that tho Union was registered as a separate Union. The Commissioner (to Mr Hunter): I am euro that this is no*, a registered Union ; therefore, we cannot go on with the business. You are not a registered "Union under tho Aofc. That is my opinion, and I am going to rule that. I have ascertained that you aro not a registered Union, and, therefore, 1 cannot deal with this dispute. • Mr Hunter: Do you say that the Canterbury Motor-car and Horsedrivors' Union is not registered? lou read tho chairman's certificate. The Commissioner: I know nothing aboufc that. All I know is that it is not a registered Union. Mr Cooper pointed out that one or tho provisions of section 30, sub-section 4 of the 1908 Amendment Act_ was that tho namo of tho union, association, or employer must appear on every application made under the section* Mr Hunter pointed out that there was provision in the Act for the Council and the Court to waive technicalities. If ihe Commissioner could dispute the fact that he (Mr Hunter) was present as a representative of a registered union he might have some grounds for c[eelining to go on. The Commissioner (after consulting tTio citation papers lodged with the clerk of awards) said that he hnd previously only looked at one portion; in looking at another portion it seemed to alter tho position. Mr Coooer. Raid that he could only Stick to the citation papers served on the emploTprs. On oommunicatins with the Registrar ho had been informed tTini no "nns°n with the tit , -' of tho Christcbtirch Taxi-drivors' Union wp<j Tcvistoml under the Act. Tho Commissioner said that he could only deal -with registered unions, and the omplorors h*d not Wen cited by the CnTi+prTniry Drivers' Union. Mr Hunter said that the employers Tiad pot into a tangle owing to the Union's new name.

Mr Cooner pointed out- thnt t*>p current award was obtained by the Canter* Tuiry Motor-car, Horse-drivers', ami Livnry S+ablc Employees' Tnion. nnd on Dppombflr 22nd, 1913. th© Court had to give an award applied for by that TTnion. Mr Hunter said thai, was not. so. t On December 22nd the Court ruled in a certain direction. Two disrmtes were before it in resneot to another branch of the union—drivers of motor delivery vehicles, and livery stable employee;?. Before these disputes came hefore the Court tho union went on strike, thomrh not in connexion with' nrty" mat-.' ter before the Court. The Court, in its wisdom, had refused to give an award. s s Mr Cooper said ho could only ko by the judgment of the Court which he cited. The Commissioner pointed out to Mr Hunter that if the dispute were proceeded with the Court would throw it out. It would be bettor to take it in proper form. The Council did not stand on technicalities. Mr Hunter: That is what you aro doing. - The Commissioner pointed out that there was no such union as the Canterbury Drivers' Union or the Christ* chiirch Taxi-Drivers' Union. . , Mr Hunter (producing the Drivers award, and speaking with some warmth): You may as well say tha>. this is not an award. If you are going to stand on technicalities, I have got ■ my remedy. Tho. Commissioner: I am doing j help the union. If the case goes before the Court, it will throw it out. Mr Hunter: There is nothing in the wide world to prevent the Council dealing with this case. v The Commissioner: I have information from Wellington that neither union, mentioned here is registered. Mr Hunter: I think differently; however, wo will agree to differ on that goint. He added that ho would file a fr&sh dispute. ' Mr Cooper said that the employers would st-il decline to attend. The references in tho Court's judgment of December 22nd applied just as much to this union. ' Mr Hunter contended that tho union's registration had not been suspended ; nor had tho union beeu con-j victed of an offence. i The Commissioner said that ho would \ either report that no agreement had bceu arrived at or the present dispute \ could be withdrawn. If tho first course were pursued tho union took the risk of the case boir.g thrown out by <he Court. ;

Mr Hurter said that he would withdraw tho present case. Tho Commissioner : It will be safer. Mr Hunter said that proceedings like .these had killed the Arbitration Act. Instead of the Court being a court of equity and judgments given on commonsens© and justice, they were given on legal technicalities. Mr Cooler said that it «a« the attitude of unions like the Drivers' .Union that had killed arbitration. They discredited tho Act one month and tho next month sought its protection. Ths-t was neither conciliation nor arbitration from the emoloyers' point of view.. Mr Hunter asked if. when the present objection was removed, the employers would attend the Council.

Mr Cooper: If you form a taxidrivers' union.

Mr Hunter: And appoint another swTotary. Mr Cooper: You can do as you like abo.>t that. We won't raise any new grounds <rorr> those raised already. The Commissioner (to Mr Cooper): Can yon got the employers to come? Mr Cooper: I don't think so. They think, in view of the Courts judgment, :t would he a reflection on the Court to come.

■The Commissioner fixed Friday, March 20<h, at 2 ,-> m. .is the day and hour for the hearing of the dispute.