LABOUR MATTERS

Southland Times, Issue 17934, 27 January 1917, Page 6

LABOUR MATTERS

WATERSIDE WOUKKUS' DISPUTE. AX ABORTIVE COXFEUEXCE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLIXGTOX, January 26. The conference between representatives of employers of waterside labour and representatives of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Federation commenced at Wellington on Thursday, After the Waterside Federation representatives had presented their case, the employers miucsted an adjournment till the afternoon, when the conference was resumed. The employers intimated that they could not take the responsibility of agreeing to an increase in wages or alter the working conditions, and suggested that the Federation should take the necessary steps to have the matter referred to the Conciliation Council, and, If necessary, to the Arbitration Court. This the representatives of the Waterside Workers' Federation could not see their way to agree to, and a further adjournment till this afternoon was decided upon to enable both parties to consider tlie position.

I’pon resuming this afternoon, the employers intimated that they had decided that, if the federation could not see its way to agree to tho suggestion already made, the employers would take steps to have the matter dealt with under the provisions of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and, if the Federation representatives agreed, then both parties should apply to the court to apopint two expert assessors, one representing each side. After a short adjournment the Federation representatives returned, and stated that they could not see their way to agree to the matter being dealt with by the Conciliation Council, or the Arbitration Court, and the conterenco then concluded.