BANKERS AND PASTRAYCOOKS' UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11191, 13 August 1898, Page 2

BANKERS AND PASTRAYCOOKS' UNION.

-»_■ ——— A meeting of the' Bakers and Pastrycooks' Union and master bakers was held in tho Trades' Hall on Wednesday evening in ordir to see if an amicable arrangement could be arrived at on tho basis of the recent award of the Arbitration Court. Mr W. C. Simpson presided, and the master bakers present were— Messrs Wright, Laurcnson, Searle, Connor, Georgeson, Walker, Calder, Mortimer, and Morris. The Chairman stated that those present were pretty well acquainted with the object of the mQeting. He thought they might discuss the matter in dispute between them and see if they could not come to an.amicable settlement, and whether the masters would be willing to sign an agreement which-would be practically the same, as the award of the Arbitration Court. If some of the masters declined to sign such an agieement the union would be compelled to take action against them. ■ The Secretary to the Union (Mr Annmgjsaitl that it was only a short agreement for five months, biit the union thought if they allowed tho matter to slide altogether and not take any action their efforts in the past would result in nought, They knew a case where non-' union men were getting jobbing in a particular house. If that house paid any regard to the award of the court that state of things would not exist. Those were some of the reasons why it was tliought desirable that ai meeting of the masters and the union/ should be held. ■' ':■ • •-. ■ ' ."A. '■■ -.:''. .- ' ■ . Mr Laurehson: -There is.-one. question I would like to ask. - There has been a rumour: circulated by the ..- union that the . Master Bakers' Association led you to believe., that ■ they Were a registered body, when at the'same time they were not. Will you state the grounds upon which such an assertion was based. The Chairman: So far as I can understand, Mr Purches led our secretary to understand that the Masters' Association was about to be registered—that, in fact, the papers had been actually sent to Wellington. So far as I understand, -Mr Purches went so ■ far as to even tell one of the members of the bench: that such was the case. Mr Searle said that such could hardly be possible. Mr Laurenson asked ii it would not be wise if the union made an effort to actually find out the truth in the matter. The Chairman said that the union's solicitor had- asked them point blank if the Masters' Association were a registered body, and -it was

r stated that they must be, when they were going to appear before the court. The solicitor also stated that the association must be registered or else it would have-no standing in the court. Mr Laurenson Btated. that the mistake was made by the anion, and the association therefore could not be blamed. Therefore, he thought that the aspersion should bo withdrawn. The Secretary stated that they could hardly do that, as Mr Purches had stated that the document had been sent, and the names of thos? who were to represent the association beforo the court .», *4eo mentioned. There was a technicality Mr Laurenson: The technicality was your business, not-ours. The Secretary, at this juncture, read a letter from Mr E. A. Smith, Half-way Bush, who apologised for his absence. He wished the ! union all success, and enclosed £5 53 for the . union to use as they thought fit. He added: i "If I may make a suggestion, have a soiree and •. take your wives. Have tickets at, say, 2s (3d ! each. I have no doubt all the masters will join • you, and make a comfortable evening.—(Laughter.) But do as you think proper; but don't use it in sending us to gaol."—(Renewed lau"hter.) On the motion of Mr Brown, a hearty vote, of thanks to Mr Smi.th was carried. The Chairman said that he was sorry to say i ho had been given to understand that his late employer and foreman had got it into their | heads ..that he had worked to get the case into' j court as a spite against them. Mr Brown objected to the remark of the' chairman. -They were tliere to do business not to discuss personal matters, and the chairman i' 'should .withdraw what, he had 5aid....,-. i ■ The Chairman': I will withdraw it then. .'- ---'■ Mr Wright observed that neither he nor his foreman had ever said anything to justify what ; the chairman had just eaid. ' : After some desultory discussion, j Mr Wright said: To show you that I have mo ill-feeling against the union, thero is Mr j Arming. himself. He came to my foreman i begging for work | The Secretary: It is a lie. I never begged ; for work from any man." I might have asked j for work just as' 1 might ask you to-morrow.' Mr Wright: We'll put it that way. Ho said- ; that no one would give him an hour's.work. The Secretary again denied Mr Wright's assertion. ... Mr Wriglit continued to add that his foreman came to him and asked him if he had any objection to Mr Arming being employed, that he could not get an hour's work in town. He j (Mr Wright) said he had no objection if Mr j Arming could do the work, and he was put on. Mr Brown: I object tp all this entirely. It is business we have come here to discuss. We ■ are not here to cast up slurs. ; The Chairman (to Mr Wright): I must call | you to order. •-..'.,'•■-. j The Secretary:' It shows his good feeling. Mr Wright said it was the truth he was saying, and it could not be denied. He was being blackened all over, and he wanted to clear him" i self. , There was not a man who came into his employ who did not get justice. Then the foreman asked him if he could put Mr Arming on to supply the vain—— The Chairman: Will you : allow, me. The : subjects, being discussed now. have, nothing to ''do with .tlie. business whicli;has brought us '.-together. - "'-•' ' '•''-. ' .:;.'■•■■ -.•.-■ j Mr Wright: llt has to do'with me.'!'. • I, Mr -Brown..' objected to the line .the: meeting. , was taking, and went on to speak of the,hours, ii which-Mr Wright; asked his men to commence; ! work, and to point out that they were at variance with the hours inserted in the award which had been adopted by some of the master bakers. Air Wright said that before the matter was taken to court he, in accordance with the. rules of the union, should have been waited, upon, and this' was not done. The hours his men worked under were necessary tor the requirements of his business. He thought that employers should be allowed to have nours which • suited the requirements of their respective businesses. . , After, some . further discussion, Mr Connor '; said tliat it was evident that an arrangement could not be come to that bight: Certainly no agreement would be. signed, and the best -course would be for the meeting.to be adi journed. The masters could then meet,, dis- ; cuss, the matter,, arid forward their decision to:"' ■I the union. '.- This'; suggestion -was eventually agreed, to,. ■and the meeting: adjourned.. •