CONCILIATION BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11396, 13 April 1899, Page 2

CONCILIATION BOARD.

KAITANGATA MINERS' DISPUTE

The adjourned, sitting of tho Conciliation Board was hold at the Supreme Court yesterday morning for tho purpose of hearing the decision of tho Otago Coal Minors' Union in rcforonco to tho recommendations made in tho industrial dispute botweon it and the Now Zealand Collieries, Railway, and Oil Syndicate. The members of the board present woro: Messrs W. A. Sim (chairman), G. I. I_r(|iihai-, (1. L. Sise, 11. Ferguson, and J. A. Millar, M.H.R. Mr Smith, as - the representative of tho union, slated, in reply to the chairman, that thero hud been a meeting bf tho union on the previous night, and the men refused lb aco.pl the recommendations of tho board." Tlio Chairman asked if thard, was no' chance of an ngreomcut being nfado with thp company.

Mr Smith replied that ho did not think so. He had an interview with Mi- Shore on Tuesday, mid ho said with reference to the matter ol filling boxes that tho impression on h's mind was that boxen had to be delivered Hlled six inches above the rim at the centre.

The Chairman asked if there was any use -, having another adjournment in order that (the union might have an opportunity of seeing if thoy could como to somo agreement with tho company. Mr Smith replied ■ that he did not think it was.

Tlio Chairman then intimated that the board would report that they lfiid been unable to settle the dispute.

Mr Smith understood that some of the matters had been, settled, and that it would be unnecessary for .them to bo referred to the Arbitration Court. ;

The Chairman, said if the disputo went be-, fore the Arbitration Court the whole of the matters in dispute would have to be reopened. ' comi'ljmbNx'Ahy. Mr Millar said he would like the' board to record their appreciation of the services rendered to tho board' by the, chairman during his period of ofiice. Mr Sim had no doubt given a lot' of tune and' very careful atten-. tion to tho work of the board,' and if it had not been for tho tact arid judgment shown hy him he (Mr Millar) questioned whether the board, would have got oh so well, or whether, the results would have beeu so satis- ,. factory as they had been during the past year.. _10. thought, they should not part without placing this bn, record. He, therefore, moved—" That, this board express their most hearty appreciation. of tho services rendered by Mr Sim during the past year, and regret, that he cannot see- his way to continue, as I. chairman." ' •

Mr Farquhar seconded the motion. Mr Ferguson said he extremely regretted that Mr Sim was leaving them. When the board took up their duties they were undertaking something almost hew,. and ..ho thought, tho harmony, that had existed amongst the members of the board was' an indication of tho care and consideration given, to matters, that came before the board, and of t)ie temperate manner in which ail disputes were considered. • V ' Tho Chairman,-in returning thanks for thi, compliment paid him. said lie thought "the board had exaggerated .his ser. ices. He was of opinion that the 9»cco,_ of the board had been duo to the friendly manner in which the discussions had been carried pn.by members.