“MEN WON’T WORK.’

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10711, 8 October 1928, Page 6

“MEN WON’T WORK.’

UNIONIST REPLY TO EMPLOYERS. REPLY TO SUGGESTION OF PIECEWORK. MOTOR TRADE DISPUTE. (Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. Si “Even if Hie Arbitration Court in eludes it in the award, it will not* he binding. The men won’t work under the system if they don’t want to do so.” The above remarks were made by Mr. R. F. Barter, of Auckland, one of the assessors for the workers, when Mr. J. F, Cousins, secretary of the New Zealand Motor Trade Association, stated at the sitting of the Conciliation Council this morning that that employers proposed to ask the Arbitration Court to provide for piecework on the premium bonus, system in the motor mechanics’ award. Mr. Barter declared his uncompromising hostility to the premium bonus system, and said that the workers in the New Zealand motor industry did not- wish to have American methods introduced. He then made the remark quoted. “You mean to strike?” remarked Mr. E. King, of Wellington, one ol the employers’ assessors “I’m not using the word ‘strike.’-” Mr. Barter replied. Mr. King: Well, that is what you* statement;means. In view of the attitude of the union, Mr. Cousins said it was useless discussing the matter further at that stage. He intimated that the proposal would be submitted to the Arbitration Court.

WRONG IMPRESSION CREATED BY REPORT. CONCILIATION "COMMISSIONER’S VIEW. REMARKS WERE MADE IN JOCULAR MANNER. (Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 5. “Quite a wrong impression has been created,” said Mr. P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, .at the conclusion of yesterday’s sitting ot the Conciliation Council investigating the motor mechanics’ dispute, “bv the publication of a statement attributed to Mr. Barter regarding a s trike occurring if piece Work .is adopted in the motor manufacturing trade in New Zealand. As a matter of fact, the remarks on both sides were made more in a jocular manner. Piece work will be discussed very seriously by both sides at tomorrow’s sitting, and the proposals are that a very reasonable solution of the difficulty Vill be arrived at.” Mr. Hallv reported that generally good progress had been made at the Council meeting to-day, and the proceedings would bo resumed to-mor-row.