FIREMEN’S DISPUTE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30215, 21 August 1963, Page 17

FIREMEN’S DISPUTE

Conference Today A compulsory conference called by the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) to discuss the dismissals of the president of the Wellington Fire Brigade Union, Mr K. D. Haliburfon, and a Wellington fireman, Mr G. McDonald, will begin in Wellington at 10.30 a.m. today. The secretary of the Christchurch Fire Brigade Unton, Mr G. Walker, and the chairman of the Christchurch Fire Board, Mr W. R. Campbell, will attend the conference. Christchurch firemen 14 days ago gave notice, as required by the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. of their intention to stop all routine work at Christchurch fire stations as from today. Because of the compulsory conference called by the Minister, both the Christchurch

and Timaru firemen withdrew their notice to their boards. Mr Walker last night said that any further action that the Christchurch and Timaru firemen might take in the dispute would depend on the outcome of today’s Wellington conference. It is to be held under the chairmanship of the assistant secretary of Labour. Mr H. Parsonage. Representatives from Auckland. Dunedin and Wellington fire brigade unions and boards will be present, as twll as the president of the Wellington Trades Council, Mr F. L. Fenton.