WAGES QUESTION

Evening Star, Issue 21218, 27 September 1932, Page 10

WAGES QUESTION

CONCILIATION AGAIN FAILS AN ACRIMONIOUS DISCUSSION RUMOURS AFLOAT [Pbr United Pkesb Association.] AUCKLAND, September 27. As the union declined to accept less than the present wages and as the employers reiused to allow the question to be referred to the Arbitration Court, conciliation proceedings in the plumbing and gaslitting trade dispute broke down this morning, ami as a result the award will lapse. There was an acrimonious discussion and releronce to “ open slather.” At one stage the commissioner (Mr R. Hally) asked the union agent jf there was any understanding amongst the, leading members of the unions that they would not accept lower wages. The agent replied: “ i know nothing about such a thing.” Mr Hally then asked Mr Wright (secretary of the Employers’ Association) if there was any general understanding among the employers that in the matter of wages the question should not be referred to the court. Air Wright: “1 am not prepared to answer that question, which has nothing to do with this dispute.” Mr Hally; ‘‘No; but it has a good deal to do with me sitting here at expense to the Government.” At Air Hally’s request the employers retired for consultation, and then announced that they had still decided not to refer the matter to the court. Air Wright said he felt that the present opposition to the inevitable reduction of wages would not last long. Hie first round of the unions had taken place, and the second round, beginning with ike engineers in Wellington, would start next week. There was a possibility of an agreement being readied in that case, and that would set a lead. He felt that a new basic wage would be declared somehow or other. The employers had heard rumours concerning the attitude of the unions. The Union Agent: “ What rumours?” Air Wright: “ That unions are acting on instructions from their political leaders.” The Union Agent: ” That is silly.’ He knew nothing about such instructions.