INDUSTRIAL MATTERS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 52, 14 February 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL MATTERS.

BRITISH COAL CRISIS. SETTLEM !•:NT 1M P<) <<I RLE. I’N LESS MINIMUM WAGE CONCEDED. [PUESS ASSOCIATION —COPYEIGHT.] (Received 14, 11. Il) a.m.) London, Feb. 1 ’• The Miners’ Federation has resolved that settlement is impossible unless the principle of the individual minimum wage fur men and boys is conceded. They are willing to meet the coal owners to further discuss the question if the owners desire. Meanwhile 15i).i)(jn in South Wales, 13,(i()9 in North Wales, 40.000 n Derbyshire, besides miners m Nottingham, Northumberland and Durham have tendered notices to ter minate contracts in a failing tlie concession of the minimum wage. SHORTAGE OF LABOUR. N.S.W. Sydney, Feb. 13. The Commissioner on the shortage of labour' in his report on factory life dealt unfavourably with the morality of factory workers. He recommended that the sexes work in separate rooms, also that the females leave a quarter of an hour before nudes. The immorality was. however, not such as to compel general condemnation, employers mostly finding it to their own advantage to cull out undesirables. GERM AN PIPES. IMPORTED BY LABOUR GOVERNMENT. Perth. Feb. 6. The Leedervil’.e Municipal Council has decided to enter an emphatic protest against the action of the Scaddan Labour Ministry in importing from Germany steel pipes for rt tlc 111 a I ion pu rpo se s. N.S.W. TRANSPORT WORKERS. oi'POFFD T.) S t'.NDK. .'J-ISAI.

(Rec; i-.-ed, 11. bl. 1-1 a.m.) Sydney, Feb. 1-1. A meoiing of ri preseutativts of transport workers resolved that while in sympathy with a union or a group uf unions confined to i,ne induotiw insisting oppressive c..nd>-tio-.i.-', they wp.'c not in sympatii;. v. iUi the p’iuciples of a great strik”, bi-.-ause it was illogical to injure in-diM-rimiaatcly and destroy aniieabl? relations. A further resolution was passed tb.r.;. it would be treated as an offence if any nicaibrr ceases work or bv-vcMis any vessel out of sympathy towards the Brisbane strikers. Newcastle, Feb. 14 Trimmers decided not to handle any coal de .Mined for Brisbane. A NOVEL STRIKE. Melbourne, Feb. 6. A novel strike occurred on Sitn.ia.i night at a picture show al At ml haggi. During the week the management of the show discharged the pianist, and a man engaged in his place was said to have accepted the position at a reduction of 10 - per week in salary. AVhile the first picture was being shown the pianist was pelted with potatoes, tomatoes, and fruit, and had to seek shelter. The show was stopped, and an explanation made by the management, but this was not accepted by the ciowd. and at the cry of '■ Unionists, leave the hall 1” tlie audience rose and left the building, only -a few women and children remaining. Had it not been for the police, serious trouble would have occurred. It subsequently transpired that neither of the pianists is a member of the union. AUCKLAND COOKS AND STEWARDS. DISPUTE SETTLED. [per press ASSOCIATION. J Auckland, Feb. 13. The settlement of the dispute between the Auckland branch of the Federated Cooks’ and Stewards’ Union was arrived at before the Conciliation Council this morning. The settlement was complete, with the exception of a clause relating to preference, which did not exist in the ok' award, and which now remains for the Arbitration Court to decide. Concessions have been made in relation to the wages of both cooks and stewards. The award will expire in June, 1911. and will then come into line with other awards of a like nature which expire at the same time.

FISHERMEN’S DISPUTE. Auckland, Feb. 13. The position concerning the dispute between the Auckland fishermen and wholesale buyers remains unchanged. Most of the fishing boats were idle to-day. and, except for one or two private boats, no lisli came into port. The men announce that they will hang back just as long as the dealers refuse to pay them ihei. Sn-ice. A limited supply of fish is available for public purchase at th< wharves In the meantime. The wholesale buyers held a meet iiig. at which the whole question was uisetissed. The outcome of the deliherations Ims net been disclosed beyond a statement that it was re--olved to stand firm on the decision not to pay more than "2- per bundle. WELLING T< IN M EAI H TFiIK E. NO CHANGE TO REPORT. Wellington. Feb. 13. There is no change to report in connect ion with the strike of labourers at the Petone and Nghaurauga meat works. The strikers and tb.eir fatii’lics enjoyed themselves at a o -day. Mr. “tally. C -ni-ilia-d- .n Commission er. is exnpered to ; -:mm mm NyN>- on 'Tlmrsdny : t-wlm. 1; i-nkm oed that lie will rr.deav<:::r to gm the meat workers riid employers io meet him in order tu tiy and adjust their differences.

THE VIEW OF THE FARMERS. Palmerston North, Feb. 13. At a meeting of the advisory committee of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, held at Palmerston to-day. the following resolution was passed : —“That in view of the manner in which the men at the Gear Company s and the Meat Export Company’s works struck, this executive is strongly of opinion that their demands should be resisted to the utmost, and urges the farmers, in their own interests, to support the companies by every means in their power, and if a crisis arises that the producers and their sons, at some personal sacrifice, should even go to the length of providing labour to carry on the industry ; that this strike is only another instance of the futility of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which leaves the worker free while placing a restriction on the employers ; and this executive would urge Parliament to provide some more suitable means of adjusting disputes of this nature, which would leave the adjustment of them to those in the trade, and deal summarily with those pernicious agitators who are so often alone responsible for interfering with the harmonious relations existing between the employers and their employees.”

AN EMPLOYEE’S OBLIGATIONS Wellington, Feb. 13. An interesting case bearing on the liabilities and obligations of an employee to an employer in regard to an agreement was heard by Dr. McArthur, S.M., to-day, when R. Hannah and Co., Limited, boot manufacturers, proceeded against Rose Cave! 1, shop assistant, for breach of contract. The plaintiff claimed 30,from the defendant in lieu of a week's notice. It appeared from the evidence that the defendant, who was then engaged with another firm, applied to Hannah’s, in reply to an advertisement for an experienced saleswoman. According to Air. Hannah she, after a personal interview and alter negotiations, contracted to accept the position and to start at a certain date. Some few days later she wrote saying that her present employer had given her a substantial rise. The vacancy in the shop had to be given over in the meantime to a junior.

The plaintiff pointed out that tiiis same thing’ had often been done before, simply with the idea of an employee getting a rise from his then employer. Air. Lewy, who appeared for the defendant, stated that his client had offered to give a week’s work and a week's notice, but that offer was refused. The plaintiff, in reply, said that was so. He refused to accept any such offer. In tlie witness box the defendant denied that she had made a contract with the plaintiff’s firm. All she had done was to talk over the matter, and then said she would see her present employer. Tlie latter advised her to remain where she was. Ilis Worship expressed the opinion that the defendant had accepted the plaintiff's offer. He wanted employees to know that they, even as employers, must not break faith. AV lien they did so they must be penalised. He was quite satisfied that a contract had been entered into by the defmdant to go to work al Hannah s on the given date. Judgment was entered for the plaintiff for the amount claimed with costs 8 -.

CEAIENT BAG TROUBLE REVIVED. Wellington, Feb. 13. An industriaLdispute which caused some trouble, on the wharves last year was temporarily revived to-day, hut fortunately an amicable settlement was arrived at without difficulty or ill feeling. The trouble was rather acute about the middle of last year, when the wharf labourers absolutely refused any longer to handle cement arriving in ordinary bags. They contended that the bags permitted the fine dust to escape, which was most inimical to health when working in a confined space like a ship’s hold. The upshot was that a little over six months ago an undo? standing was arrived at between the shipping companies and the Wharf Labourers’ Union that al] cement after the expiration of half a year should be packed in paperlined bags. As the bags had not come to hand at the end of the period an extension of time until the I2th instant (Monday) was agreed to. To-day, the day following the expiration of the agreement, the Union Company’s Monovvai reached Wellington with 70 tons of cement for various consignees from various shippers. This cement was packed in the usual sacks. Knowing this the wharf labourers, before the vessel arrived, held a conference with representatives of the Union Company. and pointed out the position. They were entitled to refuse to handle the cement, but as the agreement had only just expired they

would land it on this occasion if rb.r-v wore paid 2- per hour instead

,i ii!'? ordinary rate of 15. They i r:’:er stated that this would be ab- . okitchc tiie last time they would

work a vessel bringing cement in bags other than those agreed upon. The Union Company consented to pay file increased race, and the cement was landed without further trouble. Its representatives pointed out that the company was not in any way responsible for the manner in which the cement was packed, but promised in future to keep the agreement with the men. None of its

vessels would accept cement unless properly put up in paper-lined bags. It is understood that a shipment of lined bags will arrive shortly.

HASTINGS LABOUR PARTY. A meeting of the Hastings branch of the New Zealand Labour Party was held last night, about twentyfive uk nibm-s being present. Air. (cram All: n i‘C”vl a paper on ‘'Proportional Representation." It was

decided to form a library in connection with the branch, and a number of books were promised. Air. Me-, Laren, of AVellington, wrote offering to visit Hastings and deliver an address. It was resolved to communicate with Air. AlcLaren, and also to ask Air. Henry Hill, of Napier, to address the branch. A discussion took place in connection with the compulsory clause of the New Zealand Defence Aid. Air. Stevenson read the telegraphed report in the "Tribune” concerning the youth who refused to pay the fine imposed by the Alagistrate at AVellington, and the meeting applauded the youth’s determination. The following resolution was carried, "That this meeting enters an emphatic protest against the prosecution of lads for declining to become conscripts, and demands the repeal of the compulsory clauses of the Defence' Act.

CONCILIATION COUNCIL. NAPIER PLUMBERS' DISPUTE. A meeting of the Conciliation Council was presided over in Napier Courthouse this morning by Air. P. Halley (Conciliation Commissioner). The following appeared for the men : Messrs. AV. Slaughter, AV. E. AA illiams, and J. Bassett; for the employers : Alessrs. A. Pirie, AV. A. Yates, and T. Ballanger. Air. S. E. Wright also appeared on behalf of other employers. The following are the main points in dispute:—(l) That a week shall consist of 44 working hours, eight hours per day and four on Saturday, instead of 45 hours per week in town and 48 in the country as at present; (2) That all work in excess of this shall be paid for at double time rates, and holiday work- at double rates ; (3) Plumbing work shall, amongst other things, include the covering of roofs; (4) That the rate of wages for certificated and uncertiiieated tradesmen shall be 1/6 per hour, instead of 13 for an improver, 1-1 for an uncertificated and 1/5 for a certificated tradesman as at present ; (5) That the employer, at his own expense, shall bring in men to their homes once a week when they are engaged upon country work, and that when work is 20 miles or more from the employer’s place of business they shall be brought to their homes once a month ; (S) Several claims are made in respect to accommodation, changes of clothes, safeguarding of tools, etc ; (7) That employees who use bicycles while going to and fro from their work shall be paid Id per mile ; (8) The clauses with regard to apprenticeship to embrace what is known as the Court clauses, and the indenturing of apprentices : (9) That apprentices shall be paid 7 6 for the first year up to 40 - for tlie sixth year ; (10) A preference clause is also asked for. The conference lasted about two hours. The suggestions already made to the Council in Palmerston regarding the machinery clauses of the award were practically agreed to, but the essential points respecting wages, hours and apprentices were generally not agreed to. These and other matters will finally be dealt with by the Council when it meets in AVellington, probably at the beginning of next week.