LOCAL INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 90, 21 November 1911, Page 7

LOCAL INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE

■ BUSINESS FIRMS CITED. Mr P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, sat at’Blenheim on. Friday tt> hear the dispute asto wages and boars in which the Marlborough Drivers Union have cited the Industrial Union of Employers. , • ■ All the Havelock storekeepers and Mr A. Brown, have been cited by the Union. The representatives of the Drivers’ Union were Messrs J. Townsend, T. Pound, F. Walker, and M. Laracy. The representatives of the employers were , Messrs M. Hogan, C. Nees. and J. Bary. > Mr H. D. Vavasour acted as agent for seven station-owners. Mr Hally explained that whether a decision was arrived at or not at that table it would not legally bind the ,parties as a whole or individually. It would be only in the nature of a recommendation,, which might or might hot be followed. 1 With reference to the batchers. Mr Hally said that generally speaking they were dealt with in a separate award. Mr Townsend submitted that a general award should be made, including the as in Wellington and Christchurch. Mr Vavasour claimed exemption from the award- on behalf of the stationowners, who, be Submitted, should have been cited as . members of the Sheepowners’ Union of Employers. Their carrying • was, almost wholly done for their own purposes, and the drivers engages! in other work. Mr Sees claimed exemption for the sawmillers on various grounds. . He represented that there was only one sawmill within 20 miles of Blenheim, and the sawmillers, as ageneral thing, carted only their own timber. It was impos- ’ Bible to fix castiron hours, and such regulations would not suit the drivers themselves. The average wages were 50s a week, and the men were, contented. In the case of any farmers requiring backcarriage of potatoes or such-like goods, the drivers were allowed the charges up to ss, and above that amount the receipts were divided with the employers. An indiscriminate system of holidays would not salt the men, who preferred A lengthy term at one time during the year. Mr Bary represented that, with regard to the bakers, grocers, and ironmongers, their carrying was done to a great extent by boys and .youths, and the employment of the carrying trade was hot feasible. He submitted that it would be unfair to bring them within an •ward. These trades worked religiously hrithin the limits of the Shops Act.and It was in very rare instances that an employee was called'on for late deliveries. ■ Mr Hogan asked for exemption for livery stable-keepers and coach proprietors,' for whose trade a fixed scale of hours would be unworkable. He instanced the case of a doctor requiring a carriage late at night. . - Mr Hhlly decided to exempt the sheeppwners, and also the batchers, saying . that neither of these businesses was included in a general award anywhere else. These wetp jthe only exemptions he yroqld make at that stage. He ■pointed out that it was quite possible to loscrt, as been dppe elsewhere, special provisions to meet special circntpstances, such as the late carriage .of doctors. That yras a matter of adjustment, , ’. , Mr Vavasour then retired . Mr Hogan raised the question of Mr Laracy’s presence at the proceedings, Mr Hally said that Mr Larcy, if be had been deputed by the Drivers’ Union, had a perfect right to be present. Mr Laracy said that, considering the fafit that ho expert representative appeared on the other side, it would not be fair for him to remain. He then withdrew. The sitting then went into committee to go into details of wages and hours.’

the principal claims of the Drivers’ Union are for a week’s work of boars; a minimum weekly wage of £2 10s for drivers of one horse; £2 15s two horses; and 4s extra for every additional horse; casual labour Is 3d per hour, to commence after 8)4 hours’ work in any one day; youths from 18 to 19 years £1 58 per week, 19 to 20 years £2, with overtime rates of Is per hour and la 3d per'hour respectively. Certain holidays are claimed; ‘and also preference to unionists.— JSxjrrew.