LABOR UNIONS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 5 March 1914, Page 5

LABOR UNIONS.

TIMBER WORKERS

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION

WELLINGTON, March 5. ihe secretary of the Southland Timber Workers' Union returned yesterday from Sydney. He explained that his visit had been undertaken to bring about a better understanding "between the New Zealand and Australian workers. Thfc had been accomplished, and a reciprocal agreement would be entered into enabling workers from New Zealand to Australia, or vice versa, to obtain full information regarding employment available, and as to local conditions.

AUCKLAND, March 4. The Conciliation Council considered an application by the newly-formed Coal and Cargo-workers' Union, principally representing ex-strikers, for an all-round increase on the wages paid under the pre-strike agreement. Further application was made to pin the Auckland Waterside Workers' (arbitration) Union as parties to the agreement. The employers cited declined to discuss the matter, and the case goes to the Arbitration Court direct. In tli6 oouise of the proceedings, replying to the employers, Mr Way, on behalf of the Union, stated that ever since the strike between 600 and 700 practical waterside workers had been absolutely refused employment on the wharves owing to the fact that the arbitration iinion had declined to admit them to membership; notwithstanding sworn affidavits that the applicants believed in the principle of arbitration. The Commissioner agreed to the arbitration union being joined in the dispute. The president of the arbitration union challenged several of the statements made by Mr Way. WELLINGTON, March 4. The annual conference of the New Zealand Federated Plumbers' and Gasfitters' Association of Workers was attended by delegates from Auckland, Wellington, Taranaki, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Acting on the suggestion of the Judge of^the Arbitration Court, re a Dominion awTard, the parties conferred yesterday, but nothing definite was decided on. and the whole matter will again be referred to the Court.