COACHBUILDERS' WAGES

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 70, 23 March 1920, Page 7

COACHBUILDERS' WAGES

TO BE SETTLED BY ARBITRATION COURT.

The Wellington Coachbuilders' dispute came before the Conciliation Council tliis morning. The Commissioner (Mr. W Newton) presided, and the assessors were': For the union, Me&src. C. Carter, C. Burnett, and E. A. Toomath; for the employers, Messrs. A. J. Black, T. A. Munt, and E. H. Taylor. A conference of the parties was held in Auckland about ten days ago, and it had been decided that what was dosie there would form the basis of an award for the Dominion. It was explained by the Commissioner that practically the only questions left for consideration were the rate of wages and the matter of preference. The Commissioner asked if there was any prospect of a settlement being, reached on the subject of wages. Mr. Munt said that the 'employers oould not offer any more than they had already offered. Mr. Toomath : "How is it that plumbers can get 2s 3d per hour? Are we not as'good tradesmen as the plumbers?" Mr. Black : "I don't think that enters into the question at all. Plumbers are required to pass an examination, and that sets a standard of efficiency. We have not the same standard of efficiency in the coachbuilding trade. For instance, wei might employ a man who is only able to do ordinary repairs." | Mr. Toomath : "Well, if you are not satisfied with a. man you always ha.ye your remedy." Mr. Munt repeated his statement that the employers could not very well makea fresh\offer. He was quite prepared to leave the matter to the Court. Mr. Toomath said that the cost of living had risen 100 per cent, over pre-war rates. Mr. Black: . "Not according to The Governmerft Statistician's figures." Mr. Toomath :' "But those figures do not go the whole way " Mr. Carter: "Judge Stringer's report states that the cost of living has risen 100 per cent." Mr, Black: "The wages of coachbuilders have risen from £3 10s 6d to m 10s." The Commissioner said he was afraid it would be impossible to reach an agreement, and the pa.rties decided to go to the Arbitration Court on the question 'of wages. On the motion of Mr. Black, seconded by Mr. Carter, the assessors passed a hearty. vote of thanks to the Commissioner for the very tactful and helpful manner in which he had presided over the proceedings.