BOOT TRADE DISPUTE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 409, 19 January 1909, Page 6

BOOT TRADE DISPUTE.

• • "■i ' ' THE PRESENT POSITION. ' (BT- TELEGRAPH—PEESS ASSOCIATION.) - ■ . Chrlstchurch, January 18. ■ Sir. J. A. Frostick, the president of the Boot Manufacturers' Federation, in .the course of an interview, was asked , whether there was any prospeot of the settlement of the differences existing between the manufacturers and the Bootmakers', Federation. He replied:— ' : "The manufacturers, before parting at the conference recently held here, elected their representatives to appear before the Arbitration Court, and so* far as I know the case will-go to tho Court in the usual, way. There' is, however, _ a precedent which the Bootmakers' Federation might ohoose to follow, inasmuch as on a previous occasion when a conference failed to agree a smaller number of men were elected to meet an equal number from the Manufacturers', Federation, with full power vto endeavour to, effect a settlement. In that instance the second conference was successful. I have no. authority to' say so definitely, , but I, do not: think the Manufacturers' 'Federation would take the re-' sponsibility of refusing if a request for a similar conference were; made to'them. There certainly should bo no feeling on either side tliat such a. request would necessarily show arty sign of weakness on the. part or those' making,it,' but it would be regarded simply as a desire to settle-their differences without l'oi'orenco to tho Arbitration Court." -