WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16602, 14 July 1914, Page 7

WORK AND WAGES.

WATERSIDE WORKERS..

THE POSITION IN AUCKLAND.

ATTITUDE OF THE HARBOUR BOARD. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, July 13. ' The decision of tho Auckland waterside workers to oppose any new arrangement, such as tho formation of a permanent staff, that might interfere with the working conditions now in existence on the Auckland waterfront, was mentioned to the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr Gunson. In reply the chairman explained the position as far as the Board was concerned. "The special resolution adopted last Wednesday by tho Board,” lie said, "has been conveyed to tho Prime Minister. Tho Board does not consider this matter with a view to initiating a scheme to bring about a chango in the present conditions on the Auckland waterfront, but the question was considered in response to the Government’s request for information as to the attitude of tho Board. It- was therefore obviously the duty of tho Board to express its opinion in order that legislation, if any is enacted, may not be of such a character as to prejudice either tho Board or tho others concerned.” "It is admitted,” continued the chairman, l<< that the conditions in Auckland are more satisfactory than they have been for many years, and unless further cause arises than at present exists, or unless there is some indication that it would be in tho public interest for the Board to move in the matter, the policy of the Board will bo to leave well alone. Wo are watching with very great interest the development- in Wellington, where some arrangement has been entered into to bring about the separate control of labour there. Wo shall probably learn some lessons from that quarter. I am not very hopeful that what is being dono there will prove successful, as the changing of control and the merging of interests will probably be found inconvenient and calculated to produce friction.” ENGINEERS’ DEMANDS.' EMPLOYERS SAY THEY ARE "ABSURD.” [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON. July _ 13. In the Wellington engineers’ dispute to-day, before the Conciliation Council, tho employers said that they could not possibly agree to the men’s demands for new awards, which they characterised as absurd. The proceedings were adjourned for a . fortnight to allow tho parties to visit Napier and Wanganui in the meantime. CONCILIATION COUNCIL. SADDLERS’ DISPUTE. A dispute in the saddlers’ trade was considered by tho Conciliation Council yesterday. Mr J. R. Triggs, the Conciliation Commissioner, presided. Tlie Wellington log, agreed to by both parties for collar-makers and har-ness-makers, and the log agreed to by experts for bag-makers, was put in. It was agreed to allow piece-work, provided that all piece-workers in nU branches of tho trade slioulcl have at least one week’s work put on then bench, no other work to be. begun until tho week’s work is finished. A clause was agreed to providing for an equal division of work. Representatives of both parties thanked Mr Trigg s for tho patience and care with which he had dealt with the case.