ENGINE-DRIVERS' UNION,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13890, 30 April 1907, Page 5

ENGINE-DRIVERS' UNION,

(Pes United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 29. A deputation from ilio Auckland Enginedrivers' Union waited upon the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister in charge of the Inspection of Machinery Department, with reference to tho award under which the union is working. ?>lr Bamfield pointed oui that owing to the lai-Lje number of exemptions under other awards very few members of the union worked under their own award. The result, was that tho union was of little use to its members. He suggested that an amendment should be mode in tho law whereby, on the expiry of existing awards, all enginedrivers, no matter whore working, should come under the operation of their own award.

The Minister pointed out that in caso of stcamshi]) and mining engine-drivers a special certificate was required, and an exemption was therefore necessary. With .regard to other cases, lie suggested that the union should make application to the court when the awards of tho different trades cainc up for renewal for tho exclusion of engine-drivers from the separate awards, so that they might come under their own award.

Mr Banfield snid that such on application had been refused at Waihi a fortnight ago.

The Minister pointed out that this was probably due io tho fact that a separate certificate was required under the Mining Act. The deputation stated that they would adopt the suggestion.