THE MOULDERS' DISPUTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 21

THE MOULDERS' DISPUTE.

The adjourned sitting of the Conciliation Board was held an Saturday for the purpose of hearing the decision of the parties to tha iron and brass moulders' dispute as to acceptance or rejection of the recommendations of the board. All the members of the board were present — viz., Messrs W. A. Sim (chairman), G. P. Farquhar, G. L. Sise, R. Ferguson, and J. A. Millar, M.H.R. Mr Bell appeared fo? the union, Mr Shacklock for a uumber of firms, and Mr C. ' Kerr for Messrs Reid and Gray. Sir A. Burfc and Mr O'Connor (Barningham and Co.) were also present.

On the board assembling Mr Sim said t Have you Rny statement to make about the recommendations — whether the parties accept them or not ?

Mr Boll : I have to state, Mr President, that we have to return thanks to yourself and the board, and to state that we accept the recommendations. There are one or two parts we do not consider satisfactory, but we accept them. /

Mr Sim : Do you know what the employers are'prepared to do ? Have you communicated with them ?

Mr Bell : No ; we endeavoured to get a meeting, but they did not seem inclined to meet us. We did not approach them to ask them to come, but understood they were going to endeavour to meet us, and we were prepared to meet them.

Mr Sim : You do nob know what the employers are prepared to do, bnt the union are prepared to accept the recommendations P

Mr Bell : Yes. Mr Sina -. Mr Kerr, you represent; Reid and Gray ? Mr Kerr : Yes. Mr Sim : What do you say ? Mr Kerr : We do not accept the recommendations.

Mr Sim : Then Cossens and Black ? Mr Shacklock, I bslieve, represents the* rest.

Mr Shacklock : Eight firms have instructed me to say that they cannot accept clause 5 as it stands.

Mr Sim : Which are the firms ?

Mr Shacklock: Messrs Reid and Gray, 11. E. Shacklock, Cossens and Black, Joseph Sparrow, Gardner and Co., A. and T. Bart aad Co. (Limited), the New Zealand Electrical and Engineering Company (Limited), and B&raingLara and Co.

Mt Sim : Subject to that, 1 ondcrstand they do not object to the recommendation*.

Mr Shacklock ; We are quite willing to accept all the other parts of the Conciliation Board's award. But we have decided to refuse to give in to the terms of pre-emption.

Mr Sim t Of oourse that matter has been pvetty well settled by the Arbitration Court. The Arbitration Court has in so many awards given union men the preference of employment that tbe Conciliation Board actually has uo discretion sn the matter. Ido not suppose the union is prapsxed'to waive that. Mr Bell : No, Ido not think to. Mr Shacklock : We So not see why we should give the 30 over to the 50.

Mr Sim : It is not that. It is an easy matter for tho 30 to join the union.

Mr Sbacklock: It is not that the 30 are forced iv.

Mr Sim : Well, Ido not suppose there is any ysc-' A^as«ing the matter.

Mr Shacklock : It is of no use discussing the matter. The Chairman: Very well. The board will raport that they have been unable to settle the dispute, and It will be for the union, if they wish, to take it before the Arbitration Court. This concluded the sitting.