WATERSIDEKS' WAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17632, 19 November 1920, Page 8

WATERSIDEKS' WAGES.

WELLINGTON CONFERENCE.

CLAIM FOR INCREASED PAY.

MEN'S POSITION EXPLAINED. [BT IEJXOJTAPH. —OWN COEKESPOITDENT.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The conference between the employers of waterside labour and representatives of the waterside workers was continued in Wellington to-day. The proceedings did not reach a- conclusion, and the conference will meet again to-morrow. The manager of the Wellington Waterside Employment Association (Mr. W. H. 0 Bennett) made a statement regarding the work of the conference. He said that the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Federation had asked for an adjustment of the rates of pay included in the existing agreement, on the ground that the cost of living had increased. Similar demands were being made upon the employers by the workers in almost every inlustry in the Dominion. The shipowners had received similar requests from tho Seamen's Federation, and from the organisation representing the cooks and stewards. It appeared, therefore, that there was nothing peculiar about the claim that had been made by the waterside workers. "All these demands," said Mr. Bennett, " are based on the increase in the cost of living, as disclosed by the Government Statistician's monthly reports. The Arbitration Court has specified the amount of the bonus, required to cover this increase, but as tho Arbitration Court's figures are being challenged by both workers and employers, the conference found itself unable to come to any conclusion in the matter. The conference is now dealing with some other points." Mr. Bennett added that the conference was discussing the methods of carrying out the work on the wharves, with tho object of securing increased efficiency, which would be in the interests not merely of the workers and the employees, but of the general public as well. This subject had been under consideration for pome months, and the parties were desirous of effectiug improvements, The conference had no intention of reopening or altering any other clauses in the existing agreement, which did not expire until December 31, 1921. The shipowners, he said, were only following the practice of other employers in meeting the employees, in conference for the discussion of matters of mutual interest and importance. *