DRIVERS’ DISPUTE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21180, 29 October 1938, Page 8

DRIVERS’ DISPUTE

Minister Confers With Executive

Stoppage of Work Not Expected Delay Over Award By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, October 28. No stoppage of work by members of the Auckland Drivers’ Union who, at a meeting on Thursday night voiced complaints about the delay in the promulgation of their award, is anticipated by the Minister of Labour (Hon. H. T. Armstrong), who said to-night, immediately before leaving for Wellington, that he had met the executive of the Union and did not consider the position was at all serious.

Mr Armstrong arrived at Auckland on Thursday night to transact departmental business, and he said he had no idea until to-day that the executive of the Union wished to confer with him, because he did not refuse to see members of any union. He had arranged for the executive to meet him at 5 p.m. and the meeting lasted until about 6.15. The main cause for complaint by the Union seemed to be that the promulgation of the award had been unduly delayed. The executive had also told him they could not see why a 40-hour week was not applicable to their industry.

A further cause of complaint mentioned at the meeting was the administration ■by the Labour Department of certain conditions of their work. Mr Armstrong said that he had told the executive that the officers of his department had informed him that the Dominion award for drivers would be declared by the Second Arbitration Court early next week, possibly on Tuesday or Wednesday. Inquiries made by his department had resulted in information that the Court was even now working on the award. Would Not Interfere Asked what action he would take if the discussions by the Union • took a more serious turn, Mr Armstrong said that he did not propose to interfere with the worje of the Court. It was not for him to influence the Arbitration Court in any way, and while it was understood that a 40-hour week should operate in those industries, where it was practicable, he thought it was for him to stand by the Court. He certainly did not think he should do more than that, and it was now for the Union to decide what it was going to do. So far as he was concerned, he was finished with the matter, and he did not expect to have to do any more. Mr Armstrong said that this was also his attitude so far as the question of wages went. It was entirely a matter for the Arbitration Court. Questioned as to whether he had informed the executive ot the Union as to his attitude on both questions, Mr Armstrong said- that he had implied it. The executive knew quite well how he regarded the whole position. However, he did not expect to have to do any more.