OBSERVING AWARDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15687, 14 August 1914, Page 6

OBSERVING AWARDS.

DECISION OF EMPLOYERS.

SUSPENSION NOT DESIRABLE.

UNION SECRETARIES' VIEWS.

Tlie point which has been raised by a local boot manufacturer in regard to the difficulties which, ho contended, had arisen under the Auckland bootmakers' award owing to one of the apprentices of the manufacturer having joined the expeditionary force, was exhaustively discussed at a full meeting of the executive committee of the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association yesterday. The question of the suspension of awards was considered in all its bearings.

Questioned subsequently tho president of the association, Mr. E. A. Craig, stated that he had been interviewed by delegates from the Boot Operatives' Union upon the point raised. Judging from the representations made to him it would appear that the position was not so accuto as had been made out. "I understand," said Mr. Craig, "that the members of the union, although opposing the suggestion that the employer referred to should be allowed to put on an additional apprentice contrary to the terms of the award, are quite willing to agree to the employment of some suitable worker, either an adult or youth, at a wage to be fixed under the underrate workers' clause." Mr. Craig added that the employers contended that a case of this kind was no justification whatever for asking for cancellation of the award, and the following resolution was unanimously adopted:— In the opinion of this meeting it is not considered desirable at present to indiscriminately suspend awards or industrial agreements."

The position was discussed by a meeting of the trades union secretaries yesterday, when the following resolution was adopted':—"This meeting of secretaries views with alarm tho suggestion to ask the Government to suspend the bootmakers' award in Auckland, as being contrary to the views expressed by Mr. Justice Stringer (president of the Arbitration Court), the Employers' Association (through Mr. E. A. Craig), and the Workers' Unions throughout the Dominion."