DRIVERS' AWARD.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18969, 6 April 1927, Page 13

DRIVERS' AWARD.

APPLICATION TO JOIN COUNTY MEN. (FSBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) PALMERSTON NORTH, April 5. Comment upon the method adopted by the Drivers' Federation in the' endeavour to make county councils parties to the Dominion Drivers' Award was made by Mr L. B. Hammoud, employers' advocate, in the Arbitration- Court, to-day. The Federation, through its advocate, Mr A. Parlane, brought forward an application by the drivers of the Kairanga county for an award, to which Mr Hammond objected on the grounds, first, that the union was not authorised, to make the request on behalf of the county drivers. It might be that a majority of the drivers had signed the application, but he alleged that-they had done so under pressure from union organisers, who stressed the operation of the preference clause, thus leading the men to believe that non-unionists would be sacked. Second, he argued, it was only a fort- ■ night since the Court expressed disapproval of unions citing individual local bodies after the main award had been disposed of last year, when the counties had been struck off the list of bodies cited. The union was asking the Court to deal with one county to the detriment of the remaining 129. ' Mr Hammond stated that he had been instructed by the New Zealand Counties' Association to protest. The union was obliged to show that the Kairanga men were dissatisfied. They had been, Mr Hammond alleged, suddenly pounced upon by union organisers, and forced to, sign under fear. The Act was being used io foment trouble, instead of improving the conditions of the workers. Evidence was given bv the drivers, the majoritv of whom declared themselves satisfied with present conditions, but denied that they had been threatened or forced to sign the application. The Court reserved decision.