PLUMBERS’ CLAIMS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 192, 9 May 1924, Page 9

PLUMBERS’ CLAIMS

— 4 WAGES THE STUMBLING BLOCK The sitting of the Conciliation Council dealing with tho plumbers’ dispute was continued yesterday, Mr. W. Newton (commissioner) presiding. The osl- - were:—For the unions, Messrs. H. Thompson and F. E. Haarridge (Wellington. E. Renn land C. N. ’Watson (Christchurch). C. Provan (Invercargill). J. W. C. Bolton (Dunedin). For the employers, Messrs. W. C. Prime (Christchurch), A. E. Wells and W. Judd (Wellington), J. S. Douplas (Dunedin), and W. C. Large (Christchurch). Mr. Prime applied to join the Auckland master plumbers to the dispute. The chairman said that tho application was made too late, as it should have been filed with the Clerk of Awards and notice given to the parties mentioned. The usual procedure in such a case was to make an application to the Court.

Mr. Prime contended that the commissioner had power to add these parties. Tho chairman said he did not think it was a power wheh he should exercise in the circumstances. Westland, Marlborough, Taranaki, and Nelson districts, as well as Auckland, were not included in the citation.

Mr. Primo considered that if Auck. land were joined and an adjournment taken, representation on the council could then be given them.

Mr. Thompson ejected to an adjournment for the purpose. Mr. Renn supported tho protest in fairness to both parties. Air. Prime asked the union assessors why Auckland was not joined. Mr. Thompson said he could not give a special reason. The. chairman pointed out that an application to extend the award to another Industrial district was quite different to one to add individual parties. It was for the Arbitration Court to decide whether the district should be added or not.

Mr. Renn submitted that there was no dispute at present in the Auckland district.

Mr. Prime blamed the workers’ unions for not citing Auckland. The chairman pointed out that they were considering an application for ah award for three industrial districts, nnd If other districts were to bo added, then application should bo made accordingly. Mr. Prime asked for an adjournment to 2 o’clock Hint day to ascertain whether Auckland desired to bo represented. Mr. Thompson pointed out that the Auckland mon were getting 3s .an hour, find they did not wont to alter that position. The chairman explained that tho adding of parties was n matter for the commissioner but he naturally consulted assessors if the council .was sitting. Tn the present case no application in proper form was before him. Consideration of tho maims was then resumed. It was agreed that travelling to suburban work should ho paid for at ordinary rates. In tho clause regarded country work, "journeymen or apprentices" was altered to “worker." Don bio time rates for work done on Sunday or a holiday wore agreed to. The apprentice clauses were, struck out. . Provisions against, sub-letting' on a labour hosis were rejected. , An agreement having been arrived at on all other points except a few minor ones, fho consideration of wages was Mummed. After a long discussion, the matter wns referred to the Court, and the council meeting concluded.