INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22991, 19 March 1938, Page 20

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

GROUPING OF CASES AN INCREASING TREND A tendency toward Dominion instead of district disputes, which has become much moro pronounced in the past six mouths, is beginning to reduce the work of conciliation councils, according to Mr, F. It. Price, Conciliation Commissioner in Auckland, Mr. Price expressed the view that the Court of Arbitration was encouraging that tendency, and was now often inclined to .defer the hearing of a dispute pending consideration of a dispute in the same industry in another district. "As there are eight industrial districts and in cases there is more than one award in an industry in a district, it is apparent that the trend is.saving ©xpenso," said Air. Price. "lhe saying in time is also important, for there has been dissatisfaction over delays. In the case of clerks there must be nearly 30 different awards or industrial agreements throughout the Dominion, so that any simplification of the process is important. It does not seem a very efficient business for a commissioner to have to pay a special visit to a district to preside over a dispute in conciliation affecting perhaps, less than'2o or 30 workers." Because of other disputes . m the same industries in other districts, several disputes in the northern industrial district have been given tentative dates only, as a settlement elsewhere may have an important bearing on the cases in Auckland. Impending disputes in Auckland are as follow: March 21, New Zealand brick and tile workers (concrete section); March 22, marine engine drivers; March 24, optician employees; and March 25 t watchmakers and jewellers' assistants.