CONCILIATION BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4493, 22 October 1901, Page 3

CONCILIATION BOARD.

CLAY WORKERS’ DISPUTE. Tho Conciliation Board yesterday again had before it tho dispute between the Wellington Brick, Tile, Drain and other Pipe and Pottery Makers' Union, and the employers. Messrs Robert J. Mills (president), and Allan Orr (secretary) appeared for the union. Tho employers present were Messrs Peter Hutson, James Trevor, Enoch Tonks, W. C. Stephens (AVolling. ton Brick Company), and W A. Choto (Silverstroam Brick Company). In opening the case for the union, Mr Orr said that a conference which had been held between tho parties had not resulted in a settlement of the dispute. Tho union’s claim for a weekly wage was tho stumbling block. Tho employers wanted a system of payment by tho hour. The union had been prepared t G give way in regard to the hours that should constitute a week, by altering its demands from 44 hours to 46.) hours, but the employers would not give way on tho wages question. The wages pro., posed by tho employers were insufficient. Mr Hutson said be did not know of any part of the world where the weekly wage system was adopted in the trade. The men wore paid either by the nour or by piece. That was the system ih Now Zealand brickyards. Messre Stephens, Trevor and Choto also addressed tho Beam. Tho following are the counter-demands filed by tho employers with respect to brickyards:—(l) The weekly number of working hours shall be 48, an arrangement between employees and employers to bo made for tho Saturday haJf..tioliclay, as at present ; (2) competent burners and finishers to bo para a minimum wage of Is per hour; (3) assistant ourners and finishers to bo paid a minimum wage of 10jd per hour; (4) competent setters and drawers to bo paid a minimum wage of Is per hour; assistant sot., tors and drawers to be paid a minimum wage of 10id per hour; (6) competent off-bearers from brick machines to bo paid a minimum wage of IOJd per hour; (7) competent labourers to be paid a minimum wage of 10.U1 per hour; (8) casual labour. Is per hour; (9) boy proportion to 1 to 2; (10) wages for boys—• 16 years 15pj-.’Jtf years 18s', 18 years 21s, 19 years 6d per hour, 20 years 7ja per hour, 21 years to 22 years 9jd per hour, after 10ld .per hour; fill overtime to be p*id time and a quarter; (12) night burners, when on all" night, ids per night; (13) holidays —agree to pay all beys up to 18 years of age (not adults); (14; any matters in dispute shall be submitted to the President of the Court of Arbitration; (15) term of agreement, two years from January, 1902. W. C. Stephens, called by Mr Orr, said he carried on business at Brooklyn. Some of his men had told him that they did not belong to the union, because its demands were unreasonable. James Trevor said that frosty weather interfered with brick and tile manufacturing. W. A. Chote was also questioned by Mr Orr. In reply to Mr H. Field (a member of the Board), he expressed the opinion that the classification of labour set out in tho union’s claims was fictitious. ■ Mr Andrew Collins (another member of tho Board) pointed out that a similar classification was used in the coun. ter-demiwds. Enoch Tonks, master brickmaker, said he was opposed to the claim of preference of employment for unionists, because ho did not like compulsion. Mr Collins; Why did, you join the Wellington Brickmakers’ Association ? Witness: I was told that if I kept out I would bo out. (Laughter). After consideration of all things, I thought it would be a benefit to join the association, and did so. But I don’t know how it will work out. Mr Collins: You believe in associa. tions yourself? Witness: No. Mr Collins; You belong to tho Brickmakers’ Association? Witness: Yes; but I don’t know how it will wind up. I find that hu. man nature is a very depraved thing. Mr Collins: Wo all recognise that. What I want to get at is whether you believe in unions. Wit ness: Tho time will soon bo up. We will see then. ii is Collins: You joined the association with the idea of getting some benefit from it? ■Vyitncss: Yes. Collins: I don’t blame you. 1 believe in combination. .You have joined a union in order to get some benefits, yet you would deny the right of trade unionists to have ■similar privileges. Par ness: I don’t deny then that rig! ; • Mi Jj'.'ollins: Yon say you won’t be dicta', ’j to by a upion as to whom you kjpll employ. ' 31r Tonks: You have just got to

press some of those things, and you will find out. Mr Collins: Wo will chance it. F. W. Austin, an off-boarer, was the next witness. His examination will be continued this morning.