IRON TRADES DISPUTE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18096, 11 June 1924, Page 11

IRON TRADES DISPUTE.

CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS HELD UP.

(fkkss association' telegram.) WELLINGTON, June 10. For the third time in a few days Conciliation Council proceedings came to a standstill in Wellington this morning, tho dispute being between the New Zealand ironmasters and the Amalgamated Engineering Unions. The full number of assessors were present, and the employers had in addition their agent (Mr T. O. Bishop). Included in the Unions cited as amalgamated was the Auckland Union, which, however, according to the assessors this morning, has not amalgamated since the Federation of Unions went out of existence at the end of last year. This fact .was taken advantage of _to hold up proceedings, and the discussion of the dispute on a Dominion basis, which the Union representatives objected to, preferring that the local disputes filed by the Union should proceed. On the sitting commencing this morning, Mr R. F. Barter (Union) asked that the Council go into Committee, so that the position might be cleared up. On resuming, he indicated that an adjournment would probably be asked for.: Mr A. C. Mitchell (ironmasters); Is the object to cut out our agent t Mr Barter: That is the position.

Mr Mitchell said the ironmasters would then apply to have, Mr Bishop appointed an assessor. One of the assessors would resign to make way for him.

"I don't see any necessity for it," remarked Mr Bishop.,- "I* have been entrusted with this . dispute as secretary for the ironmasters, and I don't think I can allow the matter to -go'on behind my back, when I have to accept responsibility for it. It is putting me in an unfair position. Mr Barter: We have specially left our agent out. Mr Mitchell: I don't that is so. We have seen yon as agent before to-day. He said there was nothing to gain, as the ironmasters would do nothing without consulting Mr Bishop. The question of going into committee then lapsed, the parties going on to a discussion of the award.

AMr Bishop said in many cases Dominion disputes had been filed before local disputes. The trouble was that the ironmasters had given too much notice before filing, and the unions had got in with local citations before the Dominion citation was filed.

Mr Barter: I object to that statement. Ho stated that Auckland did not get tho Dominion citation until after the local citation was filed.

Mr Bishop: I am most surprised to hear that. Notice was not received until the "Times" stated that it was indicated that Christchureh had received the citation for a Dominion award in plenty of time. A dozen copies were sent to Christchureh, and Mr Bishop considered that' Christchurch, as head office, should have sent them to the branches., Mr Barter: Christchureh is not Auckland 'a head office. They had no, right to receive anything for us.

Local Hearing Wanted. Continuing, he said the local dispute was set down in Auckland, and two days before the hearing the employers indicated that they would not attend in view of the Dominion dispute. The Commissioner (Mr. W. Newton): You are not appearing as an assessor to attempt to reach 1 a settlement. You are appearing as all agent for Auckland to object to being brought in. Mr Barter: We are appearing to object to this matter proceeding. The Commissioner: You are really ap«,' pearing as agent to say that so far as Auckland is concerned, no dispute has been created?

Mr Barter: That is so, and Dunedin is in the same position. He submitted that the proceedings on the employers' side had been irregular. They had given Christchurch till April 17th to reply. Christchurch had not replied, apart from an acknowledgment, and the employers had filed on April 17th. They could not possibly have carried out the formalities required by the Act. At this stage the union assessors withdrew. On Teturning they indicated that they were maintaining their position. They did not think the papers were in order.

. Mr Bishop said he was of opinion that the citation was in order. All formalities had been observed, and the clerk of awards had forwarded the papers as in order. He indicated that;

the employers were determined to go on with the Dominion dispute. The unions could gain nothing by holding it Hp now. Mr Barter: You say ycu will have a Dominion award. We say that we will not, and that the matters will go to the Court. Mr Mitchell: There seems to be a fairly healthy dispute hero this morning. > " • i ' ' The Court here adjourned' till • thq afternoon. ' ■

When the Council resumed it ivaa intimated that the employees' tiveswero prepared ,to go on with the discussion of the employers' cUvinas. Thev provided for a 47-hour week; hours on five days, and 4j liours on, riaturday. ,The wages of journeymen, should be 2s per hour, and machynate on planing, slotting, or shaping machines should receive Is IOJd per hour. Heat money at the rate of 2s per hour oxtra was provided for. ' r- • In their Gounter-olaims the union asked for a 40-hour week, to be worked on five days a week. Under, the wage® "heading the Union asked that the mtnimum nlte for. patternmakers, titters, turners, gunsmiths, blacksmiths, toolmakers, etc., should bo £5 lys per A fter applications . for exemptiw. from the, award had been dealt, with, the fitting waa adjourned until to- } morrow. • ' >