THE DRIVERS' DISPUTE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14837, 14 February 1919, Page 6

THE DRIVERS' DISPUTE.

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, this day. The hearing- of the dispute between the federated drivers and? employers was begun by the 'Conciliation Council to-day. The advocate for the Federation was Mr. A. Parlane,. Wellington. Th o general secretary for the employers was Mr. W. Pryor, of Wellington. The accessors were: Federation of drivers: Auckland/ Messrs. G. Brown, Napier, Hunter (Christchurch) ; for the employers, Messrs. C. H. Fleming and H. Folley, Christchurch, and' Mr. M. Stevenson, Dunedin. Mr. J. Roberts represented the Transport Workers' Federation. The chief discussion was over wages. The union was invited to make an offer as a oasis of discussion, and held to the original demand of £3 10s foiva 48-hour week on a .single-horse basis. Mi. Davis said there was no hope of a settlement on anything but 48 hoursi ana! with a fair living wage. Mr. Pryor requested the union to re-consider and make a more reasonable offer. The discussion then centred on what could be called a reasonable living wage, which the commissioner defined as a wage that would admit of a wage-earner rearing an average family in ordinary comfort, enabling him to save something. Mr. Pryor contended that such a great increase would upset the commercial situation in New Zealand. He said carrying companies did not pay greatly. The union contend that the men gave greater time to the employer for less wages than other workers, and that for difficult work the wages were insufficient on which to live. The hearing is proceeding.