SLIDING SCALE AS WAGE BASIS IN FLAX MILLS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6667, 21 July 1928, Page 6

SLIDING SCALE AS WAGE BASIS IN FLAX MILLS

Foxton Workers Suggest Solution in Deadlock MORE HOPEFUL SIGNS OP SETTLEMENT ("Times” Special.) FOXIW, Last Night ' A hastily convened meeting of those engaged in the flaxmills and swamps around Foxton was held yesterday afternoon. *. Although tho attendance was not what it should have been it was fairly representative of those concerned, considering the Shortness .of notice. The object of the meeting was to fully discuss the millers’ offer that they were prepared to-commence milling operations providing the men were agreeable to a reduction of wages. This offer was rejected by the men unless the millers were agreeable tc verify their, statement, that they could not mill profitably at present prices by allowing their books ito be thrown open to inspection by a reputabU auditor. The secretary (Mr. P. T. Bobinsonj produced’ figur.es which he stated were from a reliable source endeavouring ,t« prove ,to those present that fibre could bo produced-profitably at the present rates. He asid it was obvious from those figures that the millers’ offer whs only a "Try On ” to bring wages down, and they would require' something more substantial before, they would agree to their award being set -aside. After fully discussing the seriousness of the unemployment posi- ’’ tlon 'it was unanimously decided to agree to a sliding scale of wages satisfactory to both parties concerned, and the secretary was in-: Structed to convey the resolution i to the executive meeting at Shan-

non to-day. /It is.. understood that the executive have reason to believe that q sliding scale wages basis'will bo the outcome of tho Union’s deliberations at today’s meeting and they have asked the millers to be prepared , to meet them in conference early next week. , During the course oft the the Mayor of Foxton,- (Mr. M. >E. Per-, reap) who was present, spoke at some length to thc\ men,,, earnestly counselling them to deliberate as dispassionately as possible .under y6ry .trying circumstances. His advice to the men was to discuss the whole affair openly and freely, -and to arrive at a-decision which would',be acceptable as A basis for ejiriyi au<Jfee?sful / peg ttiations, to have work started riglit-away. He was not present, ho said, as a representative, of either party,'-but rather as a "go between’’-.to help to arrive at a solution which' would enable the men to provide for those dependent upon them at tho time when It was most needed.' 1 , < ■ . ",

At the conclusion of his' address to the meeting ■ the Mayor . was cordially thanked "for his effort to assist and the spirit' which prompted it. During the course of; the afternoon tho secretary •/(Hr. P. T. Eobinson) gave quite a number of instances of the difficulties confronting a Union secretary in' his efforts to render .best services ,to tho men ho' represented. The little pinpricks from the employers’ side were nothing in comparisdh to what ho had to put up with by individual members of the union, but so long as he was doing what he considered to be his duty, ho would continue to do so’in spite of knock’s and kicks by the unthinking. In this particular case ho did pot think the 'men wore receiving fair treatment;' consequently he would continue to express his convictions until he was shown whore Ee was.wrong.' ■' .'.■■■