THE FLAX DISPUTE.

Shannon News, 30 October 1928, Page 3

THE FLAX DISPUTE.

CONCILIATION COMMISSIONER'S PROPOSALS. AGEEED, TO BY MILLERS. A general meeting of the N.Z. Flaxmillers' Association was held at Foxton on Friday afternoon presided over by Mr C. N. Spiers (president). There were also present: Messrs W. Ross, E. Sutton, D. R. Ogilvy, H. Greig, F. Wil-. son, Alf. Fraser, W. Nye, W, Spiers, 11. Seifert, and II Berry. The president reported that a meeting presided over by Mr P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, had been held at Palmerston on Thursday between the Association and Union. The Association was represented by himself and Messrs Ogilvy and J. S. Moir, and Messrs P. T. Robinson, S. Anderson and R. Downes (representing the Union). Mr Clinkard of the Department of Industries and Commerce attended at the.invitation of Mr Hally. Mr Spiers said Mr Clinkard submitted a lengthy statement for consideration by both parties in relation to suggested fixation of wages according to the value of the'product. He said the. Association's delegates did not approve of the suggestions submitted. The delegates were addressed by the Commissioner who submitted the following proposals for consideration: "That at the end of a period of three months (25th January) the present wages agreement of ten per cent, reduction be again reviewed by a joint conference of millers aud representatives of the workers. Should the parties at that conference be unable to agree upon the question of rates, the matter shall be jointly referred to the Court of Arbitration without delay. In the event of the price of hemp reaching £27 10s per ton at any period before 25th January then the wages shall be increased to the present award rate." , The association delegates approved of the suggestions but the union delegates disapproved. The president stated that he had pointed out to the meeting that the millers had acceded to the requests made by the union secretary and delegates and published in the press asking that the millers books be examined. , He quoted the remarks of Mr Robinson made at a public meeting in Foxton in which Mr Robinson was reported as saying: '♦lf the millers were . agreeable to an inspection being made of their books a competent accountant would be employed to go through them, and report as to whether the millers could show a profit on the existing prices or not. His word would be sufficient for the U nion, and the contents of the books would be strictly confidential. . - He also read a copy of a letter forwarded'members of 7 Parliament by the Association which the .Association had sent the Union. The letter contained a request for a subsidy when the price of hemp fell below £25, and mentioned that the millers were prepared to have their books inspected in support of their contention that milling could not be carried out successfully at the present prices. That letter Mr Robinson referred to as a hoax." At a meeting of unemployed which waited upon Mr Linklater, M.P., at Shannon on July 10th, Mr Downes addressing Mr Linklater said: "You say Mr Seifert is prepared to meet the flaxmillers any time?" Speaking as one of the unemployed he asked, 'Would the millers" be prepared to hold a conference comprised of three millers representatives and three Union officials with aii independent chairman and table their books.' If they will and it is shown that the industry does not. warrant the present wage being paid, I am prepared as one of the unemployed to advise the men to accept the millers'

offer." In. an open letter to the Mauawatu Flaxmillers, Mr P. T. Robinson wrote alono- the same lines and stated, the "Union would agree to a reduction.in wages" if an accountant's investigations bore out the millers' .statement that milling could not be carried on at present prices. At a later date Mr Robinson published the following in a letter to the press: 1. "That if the millers are prepared to allow an accountant to investigate their books, and r he reports that milling' cannot be carried on at present prices, then the flaxmillers would agree to a reduction in wages." ,--, 2. "That the wages be on a sliding scale, details of which have been published." "We have information that flaxmilling is a splendid investment. If we are incorrect, offer No. 1 will settle this difference; if the millers are desirous of the workers taking their share of market fluctuations, offer No. 2 gets difficulty." The president, continuing said that the millers had acceded to the request of the Union officials who had now shifted their ground and were raising the sliding scale as an after thought. The millers are prepared to abide by the agreement entered into at the conference with the Prime Minister. The meeting unanimously eudorsed the action of the association's delegates in accepting the recommendations yf the Conciliation Commissioner.