BREAD DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26046, 9 January 1946, Page 4

BREAD DISPUTE

MINISTER INTERVENES APPOINTMENT OF TRIBUNAL (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 8. The prospects of a settlement of the dispute in the baking industry were brightened to-day through the action taken by the Acting-Minister of Labour, Mr J. O’Brien, in setting up a tribunal under the Strike and Lock-out Emergency Regulations. The tribunal, which will consist of three representatives of the employers and workers, with Mr J. A. Gilmour, industrial magistrate, as chairman, will sit to-morrow afternoon. Advice of the Minister’s intervention was received by both parties from the Labour Department in Wellington. The secretary of the Auckland branch of the Baking Trade Employees’ Union and 'president of the New Zealand Union, Mr F. H. Bourke, said he had been advised that the union’s representatives on the tribunal would be himself, Mr M. C. Gillard, vice-president of the union, and secretary of the Canterbury branch, and Mr A. A. McDonald, secretary of the union and secretary of the Wellington branch. The Auckland Master Bakers’ Association announced that its representatives would be Mr A. E. Brownlie, New Zealand president, Mr H. P. Burton, vice-president of the Auckland Association, and Mr F. C. H. Cowan, a member of the Auckland Executive. The main issue for settlement by the tribunal will be the application to the baking industry of the Factories Amendment Act passed during the last Parliamentary session, which provided for a universal 40-hour week to be worked in five days. The Auckland Union’s contention that the legislation applies to the industry has been disputed by the employers and, arising from the conflict 'of views, normal quantities of bread were not baked in Auckland and the district last weekend, and a partial famine resulted. While no official views have been expressed, it is understood that the finding of the tribunal may be applied to the baking industry generally throughout the country. There is thought to be special significance in the appointment of two union representatives from outside Auckland. The dispute was confined to Auckland last week-end, but, according to statements made on behalf of the union this week, baking operatives in other centres had discussed the question of taking similar action.