WATERSIDE DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18018, 17 February 1922, Page 6

WATERSIDE DISPUTE.

HEARING IN WELLINGTON.

DOMINION CONFERENCE URGED.

4 EMPLOYERS REJECT PROPOSAL.

[bt telkqjjaph.—press association.]

WELLINGTON, Thursday. The hearing of the Wellington waterside workers' dispute was continued before the conciliation commissioner to-day. An assessor for tho union suggested that a Dominion conference should be held to discuss the claims and counter-claims, as by doiug so much duplication, talk, and energy could be saved. Mr. L. Glover, another of tho assessors for the union, said it was thought far better to have a general conference to discuss conditions. If the suggestion were not agreed to, then | it would bo necessary for the Court to hear evidence regarding the conditions in each port. Mr, J. Roberts stated that he had received copies of the employers' citations as they affected the men in Auckland, i Lyttelto;., and Port Chalmers. The wages offered did not differ from those which tho employers proposod for tho Wellington men, What was agreed to in Wellington would absolutely decide the conditions of employment in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Auckland, and Lyttelton. Ninety-eight per cent, of the conditions applicable to Wellington also applied to tho other ports of the Dominion. If a general conference were held the delegates present would bo able to make agreements regarding the conditions in their respective ports. The assessors for the employers retired to consider the suggestion. On their return Mr. W. G. Smith announced on their behalf that the question of wages must bo referred to the Court in the i ordinary way. The employers' assessors had no power to agree to a Dominion | conference to discuss conditions. A Do- j minion conference of employers had al j ready considered the matter, and the do-1 cision arrived at was that tho various local disputes should be dealt with by , different councils of conciliation, and if necessary by the Court. That decision! must bo taken by the other side as i definite. The parties subsequently proceeded to | discuss the employers' proposals as affecting Wellington, clause by clause, I