DRIVERS' WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17947, 14 November 1918, Page 6

DRIVERS' WAGES.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. Mr Hiram Hunter, secretary of the I Canterbury Drivers' Union, arrived in Christchurch. on Tuesday morning from Wellington, where he had attended a conference between representatives of the New Zealand Drivers' Federation and tho employers of drivers throughout the Dominion, to discuss the terms of a new agreement to supersede the present award, which expires on Noi vember 27. ! The Drivers' Federation was represented by Messrs G. Davis and-J. Cowsill (Auckland), J. Ross (Wanganui), M. A. Crawford (Napier), A. Parlane (Wellington), H. Hunter (Christchurch), and W. Herbert (Dunedin). The employers were represented bv Messrs C. H. Fleming and F. B. Winstone (Auckland), \V\ Pryor and T. Munrt (Wellington), B. B. Creagh (Napier), A. Young (Masterton), C. R: Beadel (Christchurch) and R. T. Duthia and J. Spencer (Dunedin). The Conference opened on Thursday morning, last week. Mr C. H. Fleming, of Auckland, was appointed chair- • i man, and Messrs G. Davis and H. HunI ter conducted the negotiations on behalf of the Drivers' Federation. After a full day's discussion it was resolved to appoint a committee of three from each side, to meet at 7.30 on Thursday night, to endeavour to arrive at an agreement as a* recommendation to tho • full Conference the following morning. On Friday morning the Conference resumed at ten oclock, all the delegates j being present. . The committee reported I that it had sat from 7.30 until 10 p.m. the previous evening, but could not agree to any recommendation. The employers, however, made, an offer, without prejudice, such offer to remain open until Monday, November 18, at noon. The drivers* delegates were . not prepared to accept the terms offered, but undertook to submit them to their respective unions in the meantime, and reply through their Federation on November 18./.';-:.•: j Mr Hunter has convened * special meeting of the Canterbury Drivers' Union at the Trades' Hall for to-mor-row, when he will explain the terms,offered, and ascertain the men's wishes j in reference to acceptance • or itithsrj wise. In the meantime, the ■ parties have agreed to _ withhold any further | information outside their own organisations; • i •.