CARPENTERS’ DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25742, 2 March 1949, Page 4

CARPENTERS’ DISPUTE

Tribunal Not To Be Appointed

MINISTER REPLIES TO UNION

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 1. An indication that the Government would not set up a tribunal to settle the present carpenters’ dispute in Auckland was given tonight by the Minister of Labour (Mr A. McLagan). He suggested that before another conference could be held between the employers avd the carpenters.tihe latter should resume normal work, Provided this condition was met, he was prepared to ask the Labour Department to bring the parties together. Mr McLagan said he had noted the statement of the national secretary of the Carpenters’ Union (Mr R. Stanley) that there were three possible solutions of the present carpenters’ dispute in Auckland—(l) the Government could set up a tribunal and, if that were done, the carpenters would call off their go-slow action, provided the master builders called off their “lock out”: (2) the Government could take action against the carpenters; or (3) another conference could be held between the carpenters and the employers. As in two of these allegedly possible solutions, some action by the Government was proposed, some comment from the Government in reply would be relevant, said Mr McLagan. As to the suggestion .that the Government could set up a tribunal under the Strikes and Lock-outs Emergency Regulations, the Government had never yet authorised a tribunal to deal with an industrial dispute under circumstances such as those in lhe present carpenters’ dispute—that is. where there was a direct refusal to accept and abide by a recently-made award of the Court of Arbitration. Court’s Decision Not Accepted Tribunals had been appointed to settle disputes about the interpretation of awards, ‘or to assist in settling the provisions governing the terms and conditions of employment, where there-were technical difficulties in the way of making awards. In the present dispute, however, the carpenters had announced their refusal to accept the decision of the Court of Arbitration. as soon as the decision was made known to them, although by the procedure laid down under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act they were required to accept the award without question. Jt was true that there was no appeal against a decision of the Court, but this was in complete accord with the wishes of the trade unions themselves, and was intended to guard against the possibility of unions being involved in protracted and expensive legal appeal proceedings. “Mr Stanley knew, when he commenced the proceedings under the I.C. and A. Act which led to the making of the present carpenters’ award, that there was no appeal against the Court’s decision.” said .Mr McLagan. “He also knew that by taking part in the proceedings he was pledging himself and his union to accept and abide by the award when it was eventually made. The setting-up of a tribunal in these circumstances would amount to establishing a right of appeal against the decisions of the Court, whereas it- has always been an accepted principle that the Court’s decisions are final, and not subject to appeal. Government Attitude “The Government can see no reason for setting aside this very good principle that has been an integral part of our conciliation and arbitration system throughout the 54 years of its existence. “As to the suggestion that the Government could take action against the carpenters: is that to be construed as an invitation to the Government to prosecute the carpenters, or as Mr Stanley’s confession of culpability in connexion with the go-slow? “It is difficult to believe that Mr Stanley was seriously suggesting Government action against the carpenters as a possible solution of the present dispute. “Mr Stanley’s final suggestion that another conference could be held between the carpenters and the employers is a matter for the carpenters and employers themselves to consider. It could be worthwhile only if it was intended as an indication that Mr Stanley is willing to have the dispute settled by an appeal to reason, rather than an appeal to force. “If it was so intended, the employers would be entitled to expect, as a prior condition to the holding of a conference, that the carpenters would resume normal work and that the union would give up its attempt to dictate terms to the employers by direct action. If Mr Stanley sincerely desires to meet the employers under such conditions. I shall be willing to ask my department to bring the parties together.” The Westport Carpenters’ Union will support the action of the Auckland carpenters. The branch will grant a considerable sum to Auckland from its funds, and will pledge its contribution to a relief fund. It was not his intention at present to call a special meeting of the branch to consider giving aid. to the Auckland carpenters, said the secretary of the Timaru branch of the Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union (Mr H. Heads) last evening.