STONEMASONS' DISPUTE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2213, 28 July 1914, Page 6

STONEMASONS' DISPUTE.

■ A PARTIAL SETTLEMENT. A partial settlement was arrived nt yesterday in regard to the Wellington stonemasons' 'dispute, the hearing of which was continued before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. P. Hally). There was a lengthy deliberation in committee on the points at issue, and an agreement. was ultimately arrived .at upon all these with the exception of the clauses relating to wages, suburban work, dressed and imported stone, preference, th'o definition, of a tradesman, and the term for which the award shall be in operation, hi 1 brief, it was agreed to , provido for the reduction of a.week's work from 4o to 44 hours, the existing' overtime rates, and the laying down of specified conditions in regard to sub-letting, engagement of apprentices, and country work. ' •. ■ The dauses s,till under dispute are to be referred to the Arbitration Court. In their demands the men asked foran increase from Is.' Bd, per hour (the present rate) to Is. 9d. The employers,' however, remained firm in their offer of the ruling Tate.

BUILDERS' LABOURERS' DISPUTE.

The builders' labourers' dispute again came before the Conciliation Council yesterday afternoon. The Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. P. Halley) presided. After deliberation .in committee, an agreement was come to on all points with the exception of the wages and preference clauses. These are to be referred to the Arbitration Court.

In respect to wages, the men are asking an increased rate from tho existing Is. 2d. to Is. 4d. per hour. The employers in return offer Iβ. 2d. per hour for labourers, and.ls. 3d. per hour for scafroldcrs.