THE DRIVERS' DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2940, 28 November 1916, Page 4

THE DRIVERS' DISPUTE

The way has been paved for an amicable settlement of the drivers' dispute, and it may be hoped that when the employers and the Drivers' Union representatives meet in conference this morning they will do so in a friendly spirit and arrive at a quick decision. It will be a great mistake on the part of either sido to approach the issues from the standpoint of the Arbitration Court proceedings. The employers, who were inclined to regard the decision of the Court as the last word on the subject, have wisely recognised that the special circumstances of the caso warranted them granting a war bonus. in excess of the minimum wage, and they have mado an offer on that basis which is fair and reasonable. It unfortunately happens with some frequency in negotiations of this nature that the offer of one side or the other, no matter how fair it may be, is immediately seized' on as a ground for bargaining and haggling for more. The outcome usually is friction and bitterness of feeling and disagreement. In the present instance the Drivers' Union will no doubt reoognise that the employers have made an offer substantially in excess of the Arbitration Court's award. The actual increase in wage is 9s. a week in excess of the old award rate of pay, while the hours of work are lessened. This is a substantial advance—a little under 20 per cent, increase in wage. When the details come to be discussed this morning it may be hoped that this broad fact will be kept steadily in view. If it is, the Drivers' Union representatives will recognise that they have made a substantial gain over tho old conditions of work— a gain which it is not worth while imperilling by seeking to reopen anew the whole of the questions originally in' dispute.