THE CARRYING TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9515, 24 November 1916, Page 9

THE CARRYING TRADE

DISPUTE UNSETTLED DRIVERS IVILL NOT ENTERTAIN EMPLOYERS’ OFFER. The trouble in the carrying industry remains unsettled. Yesterday a conference of Drivers' Union delegates was held to consider the offer made by the employers,- when it was resolved not to entertain same. The following official statement was issued by the men’s representatives: — “A meeting of delegates representing the New Zealand Federation of Drivers’ Unions was held at the Queen’s Chambers to discuss matters in relation to tiie present dispute as to wages and working conditions ot drivers. Although no official communication has been received from the Employers’ Federation the full statement of the employers’ case, as supplied to the newspapers by Mr W. Pryor, secretary of the Employers’ Federation, was reviewed, and it was resolved that the statement is misleading. Ample evidence had been submitted to the Arbitration Court during the hearing of' the various disputes throughout the country during the past 16 months, in direct opposition to the statements of Mr Pryor, and the time has gone by for juggling with figures which can bo. made t > prove anything, according to the wishes of she individual. The fact cannot be denied that the minimum is a standard and that £2 12s for 52 hours weekly (Is per hour) is a starvation wage and wholly inadequate at the present tune. . , “The representatives of the Drivers Unions have arrived in Wellington to talk business, and will be pleased to receive a definite offer from the employers forthwith- We consider that £3 per week is. a reasonable proposition. In some cases employers are paying £3 per week and over. The percentage is small, but would be much greater only for the action of the Employers’ Federation, as it is not loyalty to the latter that the employers, who recognise the justice of the drivers’ claims, do not pay above the minimum. The resolution- passed by the conference of employers to be conveyed to the Hon. J. Allen, Acting-Prime Minister, and the Hon. W. H. Herries, Acting-Minister for Labour, Is' indefinite, vague, and unsatisfactory, and cannot be entertained.” WELLINGTON EMPLOYERS OFFER TEN PER CENT. BONUS. At a meeting of the Wellington employers, it was decided to pay. a war bonus of 10 peri cent, to all drivers in Wellington in receipt of the minimum rates, which would increase these to £2 17s Sd and £3 Is 8d per week respectively, in the ease of one-horse and two-horse drivers- The men concerned were advised accordingly, GOOD WISHES FOR MEN. The secretary of the Drivers’ Federation (Mr A; Parlane) has received from Mr R. Hampton; president of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servauts., a letter wishing the drivers success in . their efforts to secure a living wage. “It is quite clear,” writes. Mr Hampton, “that yon have not received that measure of justice,-from the Arhi r , tration Court which you had a right to expect, and I can only express the hope that some means will be devised of securing for the workers that measure of justice which has been denied them by the court.’’ Mr <3- Davies, secretary of the Auckland Drivers’ Union, who is at present in Wellington, to-day received a telegram from Auckland.to the effect that the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union has passed a motion not to, in the event of a strike, hahdie cargo delivered by “blackleg” drivers. ' TRADES COUNCIL RESOLUTION. A special meeting of the Trades and Labour Council was held in the Trades Hall last night to consider the position in the carrying industry. Mr M. J., Reardon (president) occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of delegates. Representatives from the Drivers’ Union attended the meeting and outlined the case for the men. After discussion it was unanimously resolved: “That the council extend its sympathy to the Drivers’ Union in their light for just living conditions, and trusts that their efforts will be crowned with success; and further that tjig council bears with regret and dismay of the attitude of .the employers m not agreeing to a satisfactory settlement of t£e dispute, and considers that the onus of any further trouble must now rest upon the employers.” It was further decided aA a matter of urgency that the members of the Ministry should be asked to receive a deputation from the council this morning to place before.the Government the position of affiliated unions. WATERSIDEES’ MEETING. Between 350 and 400 members of the Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union attended the general meeting of the union last evening. Resolutions were passed in favour of the Watersiders’ Federation and the Wellington Union booking up the drivers in their demands. During the absence of the secretary, Mr J. G. Bruce, while he is attending the federation conference at Auckland, commencing next Friday, Mr Hugh Callaghan, the assistant secretary, was elected to act as secretary, and Mr W. T, Bassett, the treasurer, was elected assistant-secretary pro tem. The position with regard to the New South Wales coal-miners’ Strike was desalt with, and a recommendation to : the federation was carried. The returning' officer’s report on the recent ballot for the election of delegates was received and adopted. Mr P. J- O'Regan was reappointed’ for the next twelve months as legal adviser to the union. The auditor’s salary was substantially increased. The meeting adjourned till next Sunday morning, when the remaining remits for the Watersiders’ Federation Conference will be considered, and the- tenders for the bandsmen’s new uniform will be placed before the members. A report also is to be received from Mr James Roberts with regard to the commission of inquiry which he attended at Auckland concerning the explosion oi acid on the Monowai. W AXERSIDESS~iYMPATHISE. At a general meeting of the Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union last evening the following recommendation of the executive was adopted unanimously:—“That the Drivers’ Federation let the Waterside Workers’ Federation know definitely what their demands are. ac d that the Waterside Workers’ Federation deal with the

question as a national one and - back up the drivers in their demands." Another resolution was carried last evening by- the- Wellington -Waterside •Workers’ Union;- - os follows:—-‘That this meeting- wholeheartedly sympathises with -tts drivers in their demands and will assist' them with every meant in onr power, to attain their object." The Watersiders’ Federation mocks at Auckland next-Friday.