FELT HATTERS’ DISPUTE

Evening Star, Issue 16823, 27 August 1918, Page 4

FELT HATTERS’ DISPUTE

an unusual position. Tho dispute between the Dunedin Tdt Hatters’ Union and the two or three employers engaged in the industry- here was referred from the Conciliation Council to tho Arbitration Court this morning, without' any discussion of the merits of the union’s* demands for a new award, this being frustrated by the employers’ attitude. In reply to tho usual set of demands made the- employers put in a note : The respondents do not agree to any of tho claims of tha applicants, as they are of opinion that tho union is _ not a bona lido union and r-epi’esentativo of tho felt hat trade, and therefore the respondents feel justified in this case in challenging tho procedure in connection with tho dispute. In tho circumstances the union must establish its bona, titles before the Arbitration Court. If the court decide that it is a. bona fide union and entitled to an award tho, respondents will immediately meet its representatives in conference with a view to an amicable settlement, but nob oihnvise.

In pursuance of this Mr A, S. Cookson (the employers’ representative) asked for an adjournment until the court had deluded upon the points raised. Tho Commissioner (Mr W. H. Hugger) pointed out tiiat this would involve a great delay—possibly of six months. If it were a question whether the union was legally registered, 1-hat point could he referred to the court afterwards, when the other mattens in dispute bad been discussed. Ho thought the employers should give ftmni reasons if they persisted in the attitude adopted. Mr Cookson said it was a curtain matter that ho did not intend to disclose, and r.otliing would convince him that this was the proper place to make a statement. The employers had not taken up the attitude without careful consideration, and had the right to go to the. court and have the point settled there.

The Commissioner said that ho thought the reason should be given. If not, any party to a dispute could raise a point, in which there might nr might not be any weight, and delay the .settlement of a, dispute. The employers wanted to keep their point for the court and to call evidence. ] Tbit involved waiting until tho court sat I hero—possibly three mouths, and thou, if I tho court found against them tho matter would have to como back to the council, the total delay being probably six months. Air Cookson repeated that they were not prepared to discuss the demands of tho dmicn, or to disclose the ground of refusal, . except as generally stated in the letter ' addressed to tho Commissioner. ; ' Mr Jesse Haynies, on behalf of the I union, opposed the adjournment asked. Ho j pointed out that tho union’s application : had been made in accordance with tho seo : lion of the Act. The only courses open to ' tho employers wore either to discuss tho demands or refuse to discuss them, in winch case the whole matter would property be referred to the court. The union could show bona lidos, but apparently (here was somo matter which the employers wished to spring on them. Tho court had already made an award in this trade, which expired on the sth inst., and they were new merely asking for a new award. 1 Tho Commissioner said that now ho was informed that tho date of expiry was _ the sth, perhaps tho union had been a little j irregular in taking proceedings before tho ! earoiry of tho term. Mr Cookson : That is not the employers’ point. Mr Hay roe s is wasting his eloquence, but the employers bavo no desire I to dolav matters, arid if it suits tho union better to have tho whole dispute referred , to the coart wo do not mind, j The Commissioner: It will bo fairer to • the union. It will ensure a decision at the first sitting of the Cou.rt. ; It was finally decided That the whole dispute he referred to tho court, the Com- , missioner stating that he would attach an : explanation ini ermine the conri/ that the . employers mentioned 1-hoy had some logo. I point," that thev refused to divulge it, and ‘ refused to discuss the demands of the : union. i The assessors were: I*or the union Messrs J. Whipp, J. Robinson, and W. Singleton; for the employers, Messrs A. j Hall and J. Wild.