KAIAPOI FACTORY AND THE TAILORS' UNION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6847, 8 May 1890, Page 3

KAIAPOI FACTORY AND THE TAILORS' UNION.

* ! The following is the reply of the Directors of the Eaiapoi Woollen Factory -.0 the Tailors' Union : — The Secretary, Amalgamated Trade Union : of Tailors, Tailoresses, and Pressers. Sir, — Referring to our previous corresoondence, I have now to reply that my Directors have given your letters full consideration, and that as regards — 1. The tablesystem of training appretices — Special enquiry has been made in Dunedin, md it appears that no one definite method ! ■a in operation there, but that each factory ' carries out that plan which beet suits its ; >wn work ; and, moreover, that the ' hree largest factories have almost the «me plan as that iv use in the Kaiapoi Factory from ita first commencement. I aave, tht-refore, to submit that the Union <bould not interfere in the detail method of training the apprentices, so long as the number in proportion to iduit operatives is within the limit, I vnd tVie rate of wages to apprentices is • >-ept fuliy up to the standard fixed by the Uiion. My Directors will continue the pr sent system, which their experience i r >\es is the beet. 2. R9 erring to Pressers— Under your c mit the improvora have co-day been ac don piece work, and will bo paid at the og rates. 3. Already dealt with, and the numbers employed reduced so as to avoid any delays among the piece workers. 4. Buttonhole machinists are now employ' d and paid in terms of your log. 5. tSewing cm buttons— This is being done according to log. Toe above replies cover the whole of the questions submitted by you. In concluaion, I have to a3k you for the future, should you wish any information or txplanation, to apply direct to Mr Cullen, who has recently been appointed General Manager of the Company, and is responsible for every dppavtment. Ho will refer any serious questions, fchould they arise, at once to the Directors.