DRIVERS’ WAGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 13, 6 April 1927, Page 1

DRIVERS’ WAGES

COUNTY COUNCIL WORKERS APPLICATION TO COURT Press Association PALMERSTON NORTH, Tuesday. The method adopted by the Drivers' Federation in its endeavour to make county councils parties to the Dominion drivers’ award was commented upon by Mr. L. B. Hammond, employers’ counsel, in the Arbitration Court to-day. The federation, through its counsel, Mr. A. Parlane, brought forward an application by the drivers of the Kairanga county for an award. To this Mr. Hammond objected. The union was asking the court to deal with one county to the detriment of the- remaining 129. Mr. Hammond stated that he had been instructed by the New Zealand Counties’ Association to protest against the application. The union was obliged to show that the Kairanga men were dissatisfied. They had been, Mr. Hammond alleged, suddenly pounced upon by union organisers and forced to sign the application. Evidence was given by drivers the majority of whom declared themselves to be satisfied witli present conditions. They denied that threats had been used to force them to sign the application. The court reserved its decision.