DISPUTE AT PETONE GASWORKS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 232, 25 June 1921, Page 9

DISPUTE AT PETONE GASWORKS

MAYOR OUTLINES HISTORY A PUBLIC MEETING A largely-attended meeting, convened by the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) for the purpose of tracing the history of the pretent labour trouble at the, Petone muni- ■ cipal gasworks, was held in the Empire Theatre last evening. The Mayor presided, and also occupying teats on tho platform -wore: Councillor J. L. Churohouse, Mr. A. Scholefield (president of the Petone Branch of tho L.R.OA. Mr. E. Edwards (secretary), and Mr. C. Strong (A.S.R.S.). Mr. M'Ewan explained that the meeting had been called at the request of many of the townspeople, and as a further reason for his action, he said that ho claimed the right, when any matter of serious purport to the residents arose, to call the people together and tell them all he knew about it. (Applause.) Persons In authority in Wellington had said that his attitude was a correct one. Tho Mayor then read tho following resolution signed by eight councillors:— "In view of tho fact that, tho meeting 7ms not been called with tho knowledge of tho council, and in view of the fact that tho Mayor has acknowledged that he received no petition signed by electors asking him to call such meeting, we. the members of the council, think It undesirable to take part, as we consider that a wrong precedent would be established if we recognised, the right to call public meetings with the object of criticising a decision, especially when such decision has been arrived at unanimously. Continuing, Mr. M'Ewan said that tho Petone. Branch of the Gasworkors Union was not a registered body when the old agreement was entered into. I" no I T' T agreement were entered into after tne time tho existing agreement was said to terminate, it continued to exist until a now agreement was made. Should tney take advantage of the legal position in which they found tho council placed In respect of that agreement, in view of the fact that it was entered into by both parties in good faith? ho asked. A voice: Not Mr. W. Clarke then moved: That .In view of the existing legislation, the meeting strongly urge upon the Borough Council to reconsider its decision not to accent the snirit and Intent of that legislation, and to submit all tho questions at Issue to a conference representative of both sides, presided over by either the Conciliation, Commissioner or the Minister of Mr. ,T. Bryce seconded the motion, which wss subsequently carried, there being one dissentient. , , ~ The Mayor said his attitude when the bonus question was being discussed was to pay the bonus, he holding that it was far better to gracefully concede it than to-be forced to make thq payment. The Present Dispute. On March 31, said the speaker, the union was notified by the council of the termination of the current agreement, and on May 3 a request was made by tho secretary that a new agreement be entered into. On May 5 the council decided not to confer with tho union, and asked that they submit their proposals in writing to them. On May 18 the terms came to hand, and were referred to the Gasworks Committee, who reported at a subsequent. meeting of the council, as a result of which report, iind of the decision of tho council, the union was written to and informed that the council had decided not to enter into a new agreement with them. The council’s own conditions of w6rk and wages, which wore Intended to take effect, from Sunday. Juno 12. were then posted np at. the works, and tho gasworks manager (Mr. Appleyard) had asked the stokers on the Saturday whether they were prepared to accept tho council's terms. The men declined them, the reason given being that their union dealt with such matters, and nt the time their secretary was away from Wellington. Dismissal followed their refusal. and fresh labour was advertised for. A letter, said the speaker, had since been received from the other members of the union employed at the works, tendering their resignations. On June 15 a

special meeting of the council was called, and the speaker had explained that in accordance with the council's instructions the necessary labour had been obtained. A message had that day been received from the Labour Department, requesting that no fresh labour be employed at the works until the Conciliation Commissioner, who was on his way out from Wellington, arrived. Mr. Newton had suggested a conference. over which ho would preside, of representatives of the council and representatives of the union, to be held the next day (Thursday), in the hope that a settlement would be arrived at. At the meeting in. the evening tho speaker had moved that the council agree to accede to the recommendations of the Conciliation Commissioner, and appoint representatives to meet representatives of the men and the Commissioner in conference, as suggested. The motion had lapsed for want of a seconder. On June SO a letter was received from the Minister of Labour signifying his willingness to act in the capacity of chairman if a conference were held, and at the meeting at which the communication was considered the speaker had moved that the council agree to a conference with representatives of the union presided over the Minister of labour. Tho motion had again lapsed for want of a seconder, and the council bed decided to thank the Minister— tor offering his services as chairman, but nt the same time inform him that the council had no dispute with the union. As a result of the Commissioner's visit, the speaker had suggested that if the mon were prepared to concede the questions of the eight-hour shift and tho 48-hour week the council might consider the' question of placing the other questions before,the Commissioner. "The council was anxious to make an alteration in the hours worked because they considered that the six-Leur shift was not as profitable as the ol"-ht-honr shift. I communicated with Mr. Glover, and secured from him an undertaking that the questions of the shifts and of the hour week would bo conceded if tho council would agreu to a conference on tho other questions. . . . The men went as far as to concede something for a start, and when you get them in that state of mind they are prepared to give the council as fair a deal as they expect the council to give them." H. would remind those present of the time when the bonus question was under consideration, at which period he had advised tho council to make graceful acceptance of the situation. The speaker contended that the law provided the machinery for tho better way of settling disputes. "I believe firmly,” ho snid. "that war of any kind—national war or Industrial war—is a serious clog on the progress of communities and nations. ... I may be called sentimental. Borne say I am wise. I call it plain, common sense.” (Applause.! Mr. J. Glover (secretary of the Wellington fiasworks Employees' Industrial Union of Workers), and Messrs, a. Scholefield and E. Edwards also addressed tho meeting.

Ths following resolution, moved by Mr. Bead, and seconded by Mr. Price, was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously" That tine meeting of electors, having heard the Mayor's statement regarding the dispute at the gasworks, we, the citizens, express our confidence til him in his honest attempt to bring both parties together for the purpose ot adjusting iho dispute." The meeting terminated with cheers for Messrs. M'Ewan and Glover. A collection was taken un for the purpose of defraying expenses. A FRESH. DEVELOPMENT. The latest development in connection with the trouble at the Petone gasworks is tlio dismissal of four carters, who refused. to carry coal from the railway station to the gasworks. Tho four men were employed.ns drivers by the Borough Council, and when necessary transported coal. On Thursday they were ordered to cart a quantity of coal to the works, nnd upon their declining to do so they were instantly dismissed.

Reference to the dismissal was made nt an emergency meeting of the council last evening, when it was decided to hear an appeal from the men on Monday night.