THE DISPUTE IN THE BOOT TRADE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 34

THE DISPUTE IN THE BOOT TRADE.

Christchurch, May 18,

The first meeting of the Board of Conciliation under tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act was opened to-day to consider the dispute between the New Zealand Federated Boot Trade union and the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers’ Association as to the conditions of labour and statements of wages. There wore present Tho Mayor of Christchurch (chairman), Messrs T. Gapes and J. A. Frostick (representing tho unions of tho employers), and Messrs W. Williams and J. Chalmers (representing tho Unions of employees). Neither party to the dispute was represented by counsel, tho Hoot Manufacturers’ Association having objected to counsel appearing. Messrs A. 11. Bridget-, R. 11. Turner and T. l’yne respresented tho Boot Manufacturers’ Association, and Messrs J. F. Arnold, 11. Milligan and R Ferguson represented the Boot Trade Union. The Chairman read the notice of tho dispute, which set forth that on March 30th, 1896, the Boot Manufacturers’ Association, of which Skelton, Frostick and Co. arc members, submitted to IV. J. Osborn, a member of tho Christchurch Operative

Bootmakers’ Society, which was federated with the Union, and all other members of the Society, and also to the Union, certain printed conditions of labour and a part ial statement of wages for further employment by the firm and all other members of the Association of all workmen in the boot trade. The Union objected toth -se mi the grounds—(a) That they were unfair and oppressive; (h) that tho Society and Union had submitted to the firm and Association conditions and .statements which they asserted to he fair and equitable bet ween t he employers aud employees. Tho special objections of the Union, tho substance of which havo already been made public, wore set out at considerable length.

After some discussion as to the course of procedure, Mr Arnold opened the ease for tho Union in a long .speech, and after Mr Turner, on behalf of the Association, bad replied to some of his remarks, ovidonco was called for tho Union.

One witness was examined, and at 5 p.m. tho Hoard adjourned till 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Twelve thousand London joiners and carpenters wont out on strike on Monday, demanding a halfpenny per hour advance in wages.

The Victorian Labour Party has adopted a now platform, which >s the outcome of tho conference between the Trades Hall Council and the high-sounding United Labour and Liberal Party of Victoria. It is claimed for this new programme that it will make the party tho strongest and most effective body in Australasia. Its constitutional plank of course embraces ono man one vote, with registration as tho sole qualification for Parliamentary elections. It provides for tho enfranchisement of soamen and others pursuing migratory callings, and also for the reforen-

dum. Its taxation crood is a progressive tax on town and laud values without exemption, a cumulative tax on all incomes of over £2OO, and a tax on absentees.

The platform embraces social reforms, and provides for tho establishment of a State bank, an eight hours day, a minimum wage in all Government and municipal work, the establishment of a department of labour with a responsible Minister, courts of conciliation and arbitration, tho prohibition of Asiatics as workmen under contract. The Government’s duties are to provide work for its own unemployed and provide the destitute with maintenance, and tho perfection of the Protective policy. Federation is to bo consummated by the Convention drawing up a constitution, and submitting it to the Referendum. A sure snag in this elaborate scheme is tho endeavour to bind tho fiscal faith of tho party.