CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3173, 25 August 1917, Page 3

CONCILIATION COUNCIL

TBAMWAY WORKERS' DISPUTE.

Tho Wellington Tramways dispute ' o;imo before tho Conciliation Council yesterday morning. Tho .Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. W. H. Ilngger) presided, and tho isseisors wore: For tho Tramway Union, Messrs. A. Black, E. j A. Evans, and IT. Carter; for tho Wei- I lington City Council, Messrs. W. H. Mor. ton, M. Cable, and D. M'Gillvray. Mr. J. Hutchison appeared as agent for the union. At tho outset Mr. Morton stated that tho union claims were recoived only last Tuesday, and the council bad not bad time to formulate counter-proposals and nominate assessors. Ho desired, there, fore, to have an adjournment for a week. Mr. Hutchison asked if this would prevent the dispute from coming beforo tbe Arbitration Court at its next 'sitting. Mr. Morton said ho had met three representatives of tho union in conferencc, and lie had not received from them any modification of their accoptance of tho proposals put forward. Ho took it, therefore, that they would have to consider Hie claims from tho beginning. He desired, however, to facilitate tho settlement of tho dispute as much as possible. Mr. Carter said bo undarstood that tho council had carried a motion by which the hands of tho assessors were tied in certain respecis. If that were so, it was regrettable. Wellington had not had to refer to tlio Court for settlement of tramway conditions for some time past, and bo thought that on this occasion an ngreomont could be reached before tho Conciliation Council if tbe assessors wero left freo to act. Mr. Morton replied that the council had expressed tho opinion that disputes should be dealt with in the usual way through tho Arbitration Court. He bad power to disonss the matter, and knew tho views of (be council, and he bad no doubt that if he could make a recommendation to the council it would bo adopted. The Commissioner: So really your hands are not tied? Mr. Morton: No; I have discretion, but I should find it necessary to refer any proposed settlement to tne council for final approval. Tho Commissioner pointed out that tho Conciliation Council was a part of the proceedings under tlie Arbitration Act, and the Court looked unfavourably ou disputes in which tho hands of tho assessors on either sido had been tied. It was decided to adjourn tho further hearing of the dispute to i September 7.