PAYMENT OF SHIPWRIGHTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4488, 16 October 1901, Page 7

PAYMENT OF SHIPWRIGHTS.

PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, October 15. The hearing of the dispute of the Shipwrights’ Protection So., ciefcy with thirteen employers commenced before the Conciliation Board today. In opening the case for the union, Mr Began said the main issue was that of wages. In other parts of the colony the wages were 12s per day. The union here demanded 10s for new work and ’lla 6d for old. work. The men received 10s per day, and the employers received 12g for their work, while in the South the employers got 13s and paid 12s. It was asked that the men should receive an extra shilling a day for dirty work. Mr Hanson, in a letter on behalf of the Northern Steam, ship Company and other employers cited, stated that it* appeared that a hearing before "the Board of Conciliation very frequently ended in an appeal to the Arbitration Court. He submitted that it would be to the interests of all parties if the dispute were referred direct to the Arbitration Court. Should the Board decide to continue the hear,, ing, he intimated that he did not propose to call evidence until the Arbitration "Court was reached. Mr Alison, a member of the Board, regretted_ * hat the employers could not see their way to accept any decision of the Board. The attitude taken up by the employers would mean that the Board would be sot entirely aside. Mr Banson read a letter from a member of Parliament, sta. ting that the amendment to the Act, which included a clause for sending disputes direct to the Arbitration Court, had passed two of its stages in the House. Mr Alison said this had not yet become law, and he understood the clause would be opposed by the Premier. Mr Began opposed the applioa. tion of Mr Banson. The chairman said the Board would have to make a recommendation in the dark, and would have no assistance in the finding it was bound to bring in. After further discussion, Mr Banson said, if necessary, he would go on with the disupte, Cut he did not care to bring his men into Court unless it was absolutely neoes. sary. Mr Alison asked if the employers would not call evidence, would they make statements. Various clauses were then considered, and the chairman announced that the award would he made to-morrow-