LABOUR WORLD

Grey River Argus, 8 March 1928, Page 5

LABOUR WORLD

Industrial Conference BRUCE'S REPLY. TO AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. UNIONS. MELBOURNE, March 7. In a letter to the secretary of the Australian and New Zealand Trade Council Unions. Mr Bruce informed the Council that the Ministry could not accept the terms laid down by the Council in its conditional acceptance of the invitation to appoint delegates to attend the proposed Industrial Conference. Mr Bruce said lie did not propose to proceed with consideration in Parliament of the amended Arbitration Bill, pending the holding cf the conference also that the Government would consider any further representations made by the Council on the question. Air Bruce concluded with a request that the Council should recon sider its decision, and immediately pro ceed to nominate representatives. CARPENTERS’ AND JOINERS’ DISPUTE. CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS. WELLINGTON, March 6. Thq carpenters’ and joiners’' dispute when an app ication was made for a new' Dominion Award, was before the Conciliation Council to-day. The employees asked for a 40 hour of five days, with £6 wages in lieu of a 44 hour week of 54 days and wages of 2s 3|d per hour. The employers aske<l ror the existing award to be retained. A complete agreement ( \ipon all clauses in dispute was arrived at. with the exception of w r ages. and two minor points. The new conditions of employment will be based subtantially upon the terms of the present award. The conference will be resumed tomorrow. when it is expected that the retaiain!n~g“ Ttems in the dispute will be arranged so that there will be no appeal mad e to the Arbitration Court. WET.LTNGTON. March 7. The Conciliation Council is hearing an application for a Dominion Award on behalf of carpenters and joiners. The workers asked for a 40 hour week at £6, in place of 55 hour week at 2/3qd. per hour. The Commissioner commented on the fact that few wooden buildings *of size were now being erected. Tn support of the 40 hours claim Mr. Bloodworth said the builders them solves agreed it was hardly worth while bringing men to work for half a day, owing to the distance they often had to go. An. agreement was arrived at substantially on the basis of the pr?sent award, except as to wages and two minor points, which it is hoped will be settled to-day.

AGREEMENT REACHED.

IVFT.T.TNGTON, March 7.

A complete agreement on the points outstanding, wages and the term of the award, was reached to-day. in the car ppnters’ and joiners’ application in the Conciliation Council for a new Dominion award.

The employers refused to sanction any increase in wages, on the prin-

ciple that other trades would also apply for increases.

It was finally decided that the present rates of pay be adhered to, and that the term of the award be two vears from the termination of the late award.