BUTCHERS' ASSESSORS. REBUKED.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18575, 30 November 1920, Page 2

BUTCHERS' ASSESSORS. REBUKED.

"NOT CONCILIATORY." A rebuke against appearing before the Conciliation Council with "tied hands" was administered to the assessors for the Christchurch Master Butchers' Association, by the Commissioner, Mr W. H. Bagger, yesterday morning, during the hearing of the claims made in respect of a new award by the Christchurch Operative Butchers' Union. The employers refused to discuss the clause asking that the weekly half-holiday be fixed for Saturday. "We won't take the responsibility of dealing with-it," said Mr G. A. Tillotson. "We are against that clause, from the recommendation of the association, and there is no hope of discussing it until it is made to act universally. The only way the union will get the Saturday half-holiday will bo by having it fixed by the Court." Passing on to the question of wages, the employers' assessors adopted the same attitude. "If you cannot accept our counterclaims in the matter, the whole thing will have to go to Court," said Mr Tillotson. "To pay those wages, we should have to 'jump' the price of meat, and we do not wish to do that. We will only put up the price in the event of the Court fixing that wage, and it will be the Court's responsibility." ■ Mr A. W. Croskery objected that the employers' counter-proposal was no higher than the present rate of remuneration, with the addition of the new 9s bonus. "The employers evidently came here with a set purpose," he said. " They aro not „ooncihatory at all." . . . . •• The Conciliation Commissioner interjected that the employers' minimum rate of £i as for.all workers not otherwise specified was nearly 10s below the wage of common labourers, who did not have to carry the same responsibility as a man cutting up and selling meat. Mr Tillotson remarked that the assessors were not prepared to take the responsibility of increasing the rate. .... ,„ "You're afraid to take the responsibility ( asked the Commissioner. " That should not be your position at all. You dont come hero bound down by instructions, you come here free to discuss the claims made, ana afterwards to make a recommendation to your association. We might as well th? sitting, if you are here with tied hands. ih« is not conciliation. The men round this table are supposed to be ft committee of .experts, who know the details of the business dealt with, and can make recommendations to tlie best interests of all concerned. All the matters settled here will be merely by way oi rcommendations—l can't bind you. lhe legislation was wise in allowing such * pursuance. On the other hand, if you go before the Arbitration Court, a great deal of contradictory evidence will be taken, with tht possible result that an award unsuitable to both parties may ba forced upon you. i would advise you to do whatjou can here. The employers' assessors conferred for a few moments, and then made a better^ offer. This was not, however, »****%** 2! union, and the clause was P&J»ed orer lor later discussion.