CONCILIATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 10

CONCILIATION BOARD.

KAITANGATA MINERS' DISPUTE. The adjourned sitting of the Conciliation Board was held at the Supreme ' Court on the 12th inst. for the purpose of hearing the I decision of the Otago Coal Miners' "Union in ' reference to the recommendations made in. the industrial dispute between it and the New ; Zealand Collieries, Railway, and Oil Syndicate. The members of the Jbg^rd present | were:' Messrs "W. A. Sim (chairman), G. P. Farqtihar, G. L. Siee,"R. Ferguson, and J. A* Millar, M.H.R. Mr Smith, as the representative of the ! union, stated, in reply to tho chairman, that there had been a meeting of the union on. j the previous night,\ and the men refused to accept tho recommendations of the board. The Chairman asked if there was no chance of an agreement being made with 'the company. Air Smith replied .that hn did not think so. Ho had an interview with Mr Shp-e on 'J.'uesi day, and ho said with refc-renco to the matter "of filling boxes that the impression on ■" his mind was that boxes 'had to bo delivered r filled six inches above tho rinr at the centre. The Chairman asked if there was any use having another adjournment in order that the union might have an opportunity of see- ' ing if they, could come to some agreement with tho roinpany. Mr Smith replied tLat lio did' not think it was. Tho Chairman then intimated that tho board would report that they had been unable to settle the dispute. Mr Smith understood that some of tho matters had been settled, and that -it would be unnecessary for them to be referred to the ' Arbitration Court. 1 The Chairman said if the dispute went beC foro the Arbitration • Court tho whole of the matters in dispute would havo to be reopened. J COMPLIMENTABV. Mr Millar said he would like the board to record their appreciation of tho services rendered to the board by the chairman during his period' of office. Mr Sim had no doubt given a lot of time and very careful attention to the work of the board, and if it had not been for the tact and judgment shown by him he (Mr Millar) questioned whether the board would have got on so well, or . whether th,e results would have been so satisfactory as they had been, during the past ■ year. He thought they should not part with- • out placing this on record. ' He,- therefore, moved — "That this* board express thejr most hearty appreciation of the services tendered by Mr Sim during tho past year, and regret that ho cannot see his way to continue arf ' chairman." I Mr Farquliar seconded tho motion., j Mr Ferguson paid he extremely regretted that Mr Sim was leaving them. When, the board took up their duties they were undertaking something almost new;, and he thought tho harmony that had existed amongst the members of the board was an indication of the caro and consideration given to matters that came before the board, and -of the temperate manner in which all disputes were considered. The Chairman, in returning thanks for the j compliment paid him, said he thought the j board had exaggerated his services". He was ' of opinion that tho success of the board had been dv« to the friendly manner in Vhich the discussion* had been carried on by members. MR.T. R. CHAPMAN ELECTED MAN. ' • - ■ The Conciliation Board met? in .the afternoon for the purpose of electing a -chairman. All the members were present — viz., Mr J. A. Millar, Mr G. L. Sise, Mr R. Ferguson, and Mr G. P. Farquhar. Mr Farquhar was voted to the chair. By the act the chairman of this mee'.ing has a deliberative but not a casting vote. The proceedings were taken in committee. The choice of tho meeting was Mr F. R. Chapman, who, it will be generally admitted, admirably answers the requirements of, the act — namely, " an impartial person."