DELAY IN DEALING WITH DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22003, 29 January 1937, Page 12

DELAY IN DEALING WITH DISPUTE

POSTPONEMENT SOUGHT BY EMPLOYERS

COMMISSIONER'S ATTITUDE

(PHESS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM.)

FALMERSTON N., January 28,

A statement that the employers could not be allowed to hold up for an unreasonable period the hearing of an application by the Foxton woolpack and textile workers for an agreement in their industrial dispute when the workers' representatives were ready to proceed was made by Mr M. J. Reardon, Conciliation Commissioner, at a sitting when the matter was set down for hearing. Mr S. I. McKenzie, on behalf of the employers, sought a postponement, stating that it was not possible to submit counter-proposals .because new machinery was being installed and the plant was being remodelled. He anticipated that the work would be completed by the end of June. They were opposed to making an award till the new plant was ready. He suggested that representatives of both sides arrange an adjournment. The commissioner said that he was empowered to take action and have the matters determined. It was not a question of arranging an adjournment, it ■was a question of the law of the land. It seemed that the employers had taken up the attitude that they were not prepared to obey the law of the country by nominating assessors and discussing the position. The effect was that the men were thrown back on their own resources and placed in a comparatively helpless position. It was decided to adjourn the proceedings to a date to be fixed. Four assessors were nominated by the employers.