TAILORING DISPUTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 48

TAILORING DISPUTE.

AN AGREEMENT REACHED. GREYMOUTH, August 31. The Conciliation Council sat to-day, Mr Hagger presiding, to hear the Westland tailoring dispute. The terms of the old award wore accepted, except several minor' alterations, consisting of a clause providing for the employment of female apprentices where it is impossible for the employer to obtain males, also the inclusion of an under-rate -vrorkers' clause.

The following increases in wages were agreed upon: —Males, from £3 to £3 3s; females (coat hands), 30s to 31s 6d; trousers, vest, and skirt hands, from 25s to 27s 6d; first-class machinists, from 30s to 31s 6d; second-class machinists, from 25s to 27s 6d. Under the log rates the increases to males is from Is to Is Id per hour; female coat hands, from 9d to lOd; trousor and skirt hands, from 8d to 9d; vest hands, 8d to 8?d. The scope of the award will be the whole of the Westland industrial district, and will

come into operation on September 24 and remain in force for three years. It is noteworthy that the council has sat at several centres throughout New Zealand, and Greymouth is the first place to reach an agreement. The proceeding's were marked by the greatest cordiality and good friendship.