CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1160, 30 October 1917, Page 6

CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

BRASS-MOULDERS' DISPUTE. A sitting of the Conciliation Council was held this morning, to consider the dispute between the Canterbury Iron- and Brassmoulders' Union and the employers in the industry. The Conciliation Commissioner, Mr J. H. Triggs, presided, and the assessors for the union were Messrs A. J. Day, W. Flood, and A. V. Gay, and for the employers Messrs J. Keir, R. S. H. Buchanan and F. C. Price. Mr D. Christie appeared as agent for the union, and Mr H. Broadhead for the employers. The union, in its claims, proposed an increase In the hourly wage from 1/6 to 2/for general moulders, and from 1 '.'l to 2/for machine moulders. In the matter of hours the union asked for a 4-i-hour week in lieu of the 47 hours now obtaining. The following increases in apprentices" wages were asked:—First year 15 - per week (old award 10/-), second year £1 1/- (15/-), third year £1 7/- (£1). fourth year £1 13/(£1 5/-), fifth year £1 19/- (£1 15/-), sixth year £3 12/- per week. The union sought to create a sixth year of apprenticeship, in lieu of the year of improvcrship provided for in the existing award. Mr Day urged the cost of living as the union's reason for asking for increased wages. He pointed out that when the holidays were taken into consideration the weekly wages were reduced to £3 8/-. He had prepared a table showing his weekly expenses in maintaining his family, and this would demonstrate that it- now took at least £3 5/- for ordinary expenses, leaving only 3'- per week as a balanoe lor sundry other requirements. The employers offered an increase of fid per on the existing wages. The pacties retired to consider the position separately, and on resuming the Commissioner announced that the .employers would be prepared to accept the Wellington award, which provided for ,an all-round increase in the fiat rate of 1 }d per hour, making the wages 1 /7* per hour for general moulders and l/4i for machine moulders, 1-71 for journeymen moulders working machines, l/.'U for improvers in their first year, and 1/5J for improvers in their second year. This offer was contingent on all other conditions in the present award remaining as at present. . This was accepted by the union, an addition being made providing for the Dunedin scale of payment to apprentices as follows: —First vear 15.'- per week, second year 17/6, third year 22,6, fourth year £1 76, and fifth £2. The agreement will operate from November 19, 1917. to November 19. 1919. About 10.20 this morning there was a slight accident in Manchester Street. The delivery cart of the Eastern Laundry Company was coming northwardsalong Manchester Street, and went to turn into Allen Street. A taxi cab going in the same direction, in passing ou the right, collided with the cart. No one was injured, and little damage was done. In the House to-day, Mr Ell asked whether women who were knitting for soldiers could get wool from mills at cost price) under State control. The Hon. A. M. Myers (Minister of Munitions) replied that he had made- arrange meats that whereas wool had cost S/il per lb, .it would now bo supplied through the Lady Liverpool • Depots at 4/6 per lb. ■■ ■-■ m■■