AUCKLAND CABINETMAKERS DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12606, 9 March 1903, Page 7

AUCKLAND CABINETMAKERS DISPUTE

ACTION BY THE BtINEDIN FURNITURE GRADES UNION. A special meeting of the Duneflin United Furniture Trades Union was hold on Saturday evening to oonsidcr what action should bi taken with regard to the developments in the furniture trade in Auckland. The clmir was occupied by tho President (Mr W. lionie), who called upon the secretary (Mr W. Hood) to explain the situation. Mr Hood said the mooting was called by tho executive in response to a telegram received on Thursday from Mr S. Tyson (secretary of the Auckland Furniture Workers' Union, stating that the employers had locked out the men, and the business of the meeting was to consider tho situation, and determine what course of action should be taken to assist their fellow workers, immediately if necessary, ahd to induce all unionists to aid the Auckland furniture workors to frustrate this attempt to defeat the administration of tho Conciliation and Arbitration Acts. |Tfiis latest movement on tho part of tho Auckland employers was on© of a far-reaching character, and, if successful in this instance, would certainly be applied again in other industries. The Question was: Would the unionists of New Zealand determine the Issuo now by assisting the Auckland men and tcaeli the employers such a lesson that lio further attempts would be made in that direction? This might bo accomplished by rendering immediate assistance to the Auckland Workere' Union to enable' them to eommouco co-onerativo furniture works, and find employment independent of the drapery firms who now controlled the trade in Auckland. This would encourage tho production of legitimately manufactured furniture that no imported goods could equal, for pricc or quality, and would shut out tho sweated upholstery work and Chinose-made cabinet work from Australia, both of which were of such a low class that no Now Zea-land-bred tradesmen could possibly produce, and which no New Zealand oitizons would buy if they knew anything more than its surfaco appearance. The imported goods would nover permanently hold the New Zealand market, but might deceive the publio for long enough to accomplish the object of the Auckland employers and force the men to leave their homes or break the

- award given by the court. The wages rato of la 3d per hour given in the Auckland award was the rate of wages paid all over ' New Zealand from Invorcargill to Wanganui for some time past, and the Auck- '• land employers liavo had tho advantage of getting labour at 8s 6:1 a day, or Is 6d a day less than other employers. They also had the advantage of being, in tho seat of tho kauri timber industry; oosequently they > were in a position to flood, the other towns . with cheap furnituro to the detriment of tho local producers. Wellington City, wliftro , tho vatco of wages were higher than in any other part of New Zealand.- lvnd suffered l most from tho importation of cheap Auck-land-made furniture, and now that tho wngo • rate had been made uniform the Auckland employori threatened to import the lowest ' of fumilnro in the world to defeat tbo ends of justice and to try to got an uilduo 1 advantage over employer: in tho other centre'.-;. _ _ It was decided— 15 That this union expresses ite sympathy with tho Auckland furniture workers, r.ow locked out by their L employers to defeat tho award of tho_ Arbi- . tration Court; and also its indignation at . tho action of Ujo Auckland furniture employers in resorting to measures whicll, if i copicd by the workers, must result in disaster to both lwrtics: and calls upon all unionists in New Zealand to assist tho Aiioklancl furniture workers _ to adopt measures tlmt inav settle this difficulty definitely and finally." It was also resolved—" That this ittiiun pledgees itself to render all tho support m its power, both morally audi financially, to tiio Auckland fnrniluro workers in their present lockout difficulty." The following resolution waa also _ carried:—"That tho Auckland Furniture Trades Union of Workers bo urged to take steps to oommenco a co-oporativo furniture factory in Auckland with tbo object of employing tbo men now looked out, and' prevent their homes being broken up and other hardships imoosed upon their families; and this union will render whatever assistance lies in their power to further that object."

3 (Per United Pbess Association.) I AUCKLAND, March 7. Mr Tregoar, Secretary of the Labour De- ". partment, has arrived hero to inquiro re ''! tho lock-out in tbo furniture trade, and to , | attempt an amicable settlement. While ' i not expressing any opinion concerning tho ,! legality of the lock-out, he says that the I Government liavo instructed him to say ' that no expense will bo spared to support the award of the Arbitration Court. 5 _ _ March 8. ' An open-air meeting of workers was hold j I on Saturday night to consider the furniture | trade dispute. About 300 were present. *! Tho following resolutions wero carried ■ unanimously:—"That this mass meeting of [ workers consider tho action of tho Employers' Union in suspending the men from 5 work is a direct and organised attempt to J injuro the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Court, and calculated to bring this act into contempt." "That in tho j opinion of this mass meeting more protec- | tion to tho workers is necessary, and tnat ■' the Eight Hon. tho Premier be tirgod to " pass during tbo coming session a bill provid- ' ing for iircfcrcnco for unionists." It was ; also resolved to send tho foregoing reeolu--1 turns to the pross and tlio Premier. I ====== > Fi.obii,ine!—For the Teeth nun Sheath.— ; A few drops of tho liquid "Ploriline" . sprinkled on a wet tooth brush produces ft pleasant lather, which thoroughly cleanses fho i teeth from nil parasites or impurities, hardens [ tho gums, provents tartar, stops decay, uives , to the teeth a peculiar pearly-whiteness, and , a delightful fragrance to tho breath. It removes' all unpleasant odour arising from dooayed teolh or tobacco smoke. "Tho of Honey and sweet herbs, is delicious to tho ! ! taste, and tho greatest toilet discovery of the '' ogo. Of all Chemists and Perfumers. _ WholeFragrant Ploriline." heinß composed in parts ;. sale depot, 33 Farringdon road, London, ,' England. A combine entitled the "Parrot and Monkey Trust" has been formed in Now York, with a capital of £100,000, to Cornwall monkeys, parrots, and other domastio pets.