NEARING THE CLIMAX.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 8053, 6 March 1912, Page 1

NEARING THE CLIMAX.

AUCKLAND LABOUR DISPUTE COUNCIL INCREASES EMPLOYEES’ WAGES. FEDERATION NOT RECOGNISED.' SPECIAL TO THE "TIMES.” AUCKLAND, March 5. Matters have not advanced in any way towards a settlement of tho general labourers’ dispute. At a meeting last night the council decided upon a general increase of wage., to its labourers, amounting to £4000,a year. Tbeso increases, which will come into force in about a fortnight, will, it is stated, make the Auckland municipal workmen the best naid in the Dominion.

Tho Mayor and Mr Webb (president of tho Labourers’ Union) Lad a long talk this Ttfternoon. It was the outcome of a request made to the Mayor by Air Arthur Myers, M.P., but the Mayor declined to discuss the conditions of labour so far as the council’s workmen are concerned. He (Air Parr) granted Air AVebb an interview in his private capacity, and the two leadeis of the opposing parties in the coming struggle were closeted together for a considerable time. It transpired that they had a lengthy discussion, but its tenor was not disclosed, the only information given to the press being that their "talk” was rosultless. It is understood that no further step will bo taken by the Federation of Labour until after a meeting of unionists to bo hold to-morrow night. In the meantime, business firms are laying in heavy stores of coal and other requisites that may be likely to run short in the event of a prolonged general strike.