MEN TO RESUME AT BELFAST

Southland Times, Issue 23438, 19 February 1938, Page 8

MEN TO RESUME AT BELFAST

SETTLEMENT REACHED AT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH FUTURE DISPUTES (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, February 18. A settlement was reached this afternoon in the dispute at the Belfast works of Thomas Borthwick and Sons (Australasia) Ltd., and work will be resumed tomorrow morning. An undertaking has now been given that work will proceed smoothly and that in future any matters in dispute shall be first referred to a committee to deal with. This committee will comprise representatives of the company and on the part of the men will include representation from the Federation of Labour. An undertaking was also given concerning the company’s rights in the regulation of the speed of the chains in terms of the award. The settlement was reached at a conference lasting five hours, the chairman being Mr M. J. Reardc i, of Wellington, Conciliation Cormnissioner, whose assistance and handling of th® discussion were later prefised by both sides. , The usual call for labour was made at Belfast this morning and in accord with the decision of the union at its meeting last night the two men whom the union alleged had been victimized were the first to answer. They were not accepted and the men again resolved not to resume work. After the men declined to ■ answer the call for labour a meeting was held. It lasted half an hour and a motion was carried expressing confidence in the two men. The official statement issued by the conference and embodying the terms of settlement contained no reference to the two men or to the charges made by the union.