CONCILIATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 49, 3 April 1914, Page 8

CONCILIATION.

SQAPMAKEBS' DISPUTE. The Conciliation Commissioner, Mr J. E. Triggs, sat this morning to hear the dispute between the Canterbury Freezing Works, Bacon, Manure, and Soap Employees' Union and the New Zealand Produce Co., Ltd., and the Zealandia Soap and Candle Co., Ltd. Messrs W. H. Claridge, A. J. Eussell, and E. J. Webber were the assessors for the employees, and Messrs R. EL Wilson, W. Wood, and E. Cooper for the employers. ' The union demanded an increase of wages, from 1/- per hour, allowed by the old award, to 1/3. The employers stated that in Wellington and Auckland the conditions of manufacture were cheaper, and the men there were paid at the same rate as in Christcliurch at present. If the increase were granted, Christcliurch would be unfairly handicapped. It would mean that the other centres w;ould be able to produce 12J per cent, more cheaply. If the increase applied to the' whole Dominion they would not object. The Commissioner suggested a federation of' employers for the Dominion, and the getting of a Dominion award. The workers' representatives objected to the delay which would be involved. One shilling per hour was not ■a wage on which a man could live decently. The Commissioner quoted the case of the woollen mills employers, who financed the workers' union in order that a Dominion award might be secured. This secured a rise throughout the whole country at a uniform rate. During consultation the Commissioner advised both parties that the question v»f wages should be referred rto the pourt. ■The Commissioner made a suggestion in private to each party, which .the workers refused. The workers then suggested 1/2 per hour as a compromise. The old award was accepted by both parties, save so far as wages were concerned. That question was referred to the Arbitration Court.