SAWMILLERS’ AWARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 August 1932, Page 7

SAWMILLERS’ AWARD

COMPLETE AGREEMENT “TRUE CONCILIATION” (By Telegraph—Press Association) ■ CHRISTCHURCH, 11th August, “This has been quite the easiest task I have had during my term in this position,” remarked the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr Ritchie, at the conclusion of the hearing of the Canterbury timber yards, sawmills, and coal yards employees’ industrial dispute in the Conciliation Council this morning. A complete agreement was reached during the morning, and an application will be made immediately for recognition of the agreement as an award. After a number of conferences between tho employers and employees, only a small number of differences remained to be settled by the Council. By arrangement the employees did not file any counter-claim to the demands of the employers. Mr M. Flannery, one of the employees’ assessors, thanked the Commissioner for his efforts to bring about a settlement, and the employers’ assessors for tho very conciliatory spiritin which they had approached the dispute. Mr W. Goss, one one of the employers’ assessors, thanked and congratulated tlie opposito side for the manner in which they had dealt witli a very unpleasant task. Tlie representatives of the workers, lie said, always had a difficult task in such disputes. 'He was sorry that the circumstances were such as to make if necessary for the employers to ask for reduced wages, but the economic conditions obtaining precluded any other possibility. lie hoped that next time an agreement was under consideration the employers would be in a position to give an increase in wages. “This dispute has provided a very good illustration of true conciliation,’' said Mr .Ritchie, after thanking the speakers for their remarks. “Both sides recognised tho fact that adjustments had to be made, and they have made them in a very fine spirit indeed. The first essential in business is relationship between employer and employee, and lam satisfied after hearing this dispute that when conditions do improve such steps will be taken as will be of benefit to both.”