HOURS OF WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1926, Page 9

HOURS OF WORK.

AUSTRALIAN DISPUTE,

AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE.

UNEMPLOYMENT FEAED.

By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. Received May 5, 8.25 p.m. Sydney, May 5. t At the request of the Iron Trades Unions a conference was held this morning between the employers and the union representatives to discuss the trouble over the 44-hour week. In addition to representatives of all the affected unions, members of he disputes committee of the Labour Council attended. After discussing at length the 44-hour difficulty, the conference failed to reach any agreement. The Labour council asked the) employers to work the Federal unionists 44 hours for 44 hours’ pay, undertaking to ask the unions if they would accept whatever new Federal awards might be issued. The employers considered the proposal and announced they intended to maintain the attitude they had already adopted, that the Federal awards must be observed in their entirety. They declared that if the unions were sincere in their intention to uphold recognised authority, they should immediately instruct their members to uphold the existing Federal awards until any alterations were made by the Federal Arbitration Court. Proceedings were friendly on both sides, but after the conference Mr. J. Garden, secretary to the disputes committee, said that the unions had explored every channel in the hope of finding a compromise, but the employers were adamant. As they wanted a fight, they would get it, as the men were determined not to go back to the 48 hours day or to do Saturday work. Fears are entertained that unless an early settlement is reached tho number of unemployed will be increased considerably. While many establishments are completely closed down, others are being kept open in the anticipation of an early settlement. Mr. Bruce, replying to a telegram from Mr. Charlton, Leader of the Federal Opposition, asking that a conference of State and Commonwealth representatives be summoned to consider uniform hours for Australia said that the question was an industrial and economic one and a decision co i'd only be reached after a full inquiry by a competent and impartial tribunal. In order to ensure this the Government proposed to provide a reconstituted Arbitration Court, with judicial powers. The conference proposed by Mr. Charlton would 'only introduce political eomp’ieations, for which reason Mr. Bruce was unable to acquiesce in Mr. Charlton's suggestion.