WORK AND WAGES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 13675, 8 May 1912, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

the furniture trade. Deputation to t'le Minister. (Per Unitpd Press, Association.) WELLINGTON, May 7. Representatives of the New Zealand federated Inmiture Trades Workers' Association wailed on the Minister of Labour, the Hon. 0, Lauren son, to-night, submitting the resolution passed at the furniture workers' conference Led March. Mr D. Moriarty, the secretary, said a difficulty had arisen over apprentices through the present and previous awards clashing. A recent ruling of the Arbitration Court meant that there was no provision to give apprentices increased wages, to which Unions claimed they wore entitled. They wanted an amendment to make Section (59 of the Amending Act clear. The Workers’ Compensation Act should be amended to compel employers to insure their workmen. The Union was not frightened of the big employer, hut of the small man with no plant or stuck as a guarantee of payment. Legislation was sought to prevent insurance companies compromising with victims of accidents, and to define when a worker is deemed to be dismissed. The deputation desired that the employment of agents before the Conciliation Councils should he prohibited unless with the consent of all parties. It was also asked that in cases of breaches prosecuted by (lie Union, where the defendant had declined to take action, the Union should lie allowed full penalties. ’Hie Minister, in reply, said he was gratified to note the conciliatory tone adopted by the federation in relation to employers. He could not understand the decision of the Arbitration Court in the case concerning apprentices, referred to by Mr Moriarty. He believed the latter’s leaning of Section 09 was correct. The request for compulsory insurance of workers w as reasonable, and lie would see what could be done. Ho sympathised with the request for the abolition of agents, holding that thy main puiq.use of the Conciliation Councils was that there should be nobody present to foment mischief. He would look into the request as to the bringing- of eases, but it should be noted that for every case brought by a Union 116 were brought by the Department, which seemed to show that (he Department was not neglecting its duty. BCE ACHES UF TAILORS’ AWARD. WELLINGTON. May 7. Mr 1). Cannody, Inspector of Awards, proceeded against Geo. Davies, Ltd., tailors, Willi-. Street, in the Magistrate's Court to-day to enforce penalties for breaches ot the Wellington tailors’ award, ft was alleged against defendants that they had allowed bespoke work to be done under the team system, also allowed work (the order for which had been taken in ihe firm’s shop in Willis Street) to be done on other premises. It was stated bv the inspector that the defendants had a factory in Blair Street, in which shop orders were supposed to be executed. Part of these premises were also rented bv another firm. On lire! April an order was taken at Davies’ shop in Willis Street, and the work done under the team system in Blair Street by the employees of another firm. Pleas of guilty were entered by the manager of the linn, and a tine of was imposed for eaeli olVenec. WESTPORT COAL CO. AND MINERS. An Important Agreement. DUNEDIN, May 7. ,An important agreement lias been arrived at between the Westport Coal Company and the men employed in their mines. This is tlie result of negotiations as tar back as November, when the Unions on the West Coast forwarded to the company a set of demands differing materially from the conditions then existing, but as the holidays were close at hand, the comjauy requested that the matter should be held over until after the New Year. This was agreed to, and a conferenec was held in February between the representatives of the Unions and the company, and the questions in dispute have been under dis-eu-sion ever since. The demands of the Unions marked such radical alteration in the working that considerable difficulty was experienced in framing an agreement acceptable to both sides, but after a number ol conferences had been conducted with the 'nest of feeling, an understanding was arrived at, and an agreement with a currency of twelve months drawn up and signed by both parties. So ends a difficulty that gave a good deal of concern to all interested. The men, it is understood, benefit considerably by the now agreement. It may bo mentioned incidentally that so great is the demand for coal just now that the company find it impossible to get a sufficient number of competent miners to meet their requirements. THE GREEN ISLAND DISPUTE. DUNEDIN, May 7. There has been practically no alteration in tlie position in regard to the Green Inland coal milling dispute. Mr P. Webb, president of the Now Zealand Federal ion of Labour, arrived in Dunedin by the first train, to-day, and proceeded to Fairfield with Mr Kidd, secretary of the Otago Goal Minors’ Union. A very large meeting of miners was held to-night, but the discussion was mostly confined to the aims and objects of the Federation of Labour. An adjourned meeting of the Green Island coal-pit owners was held this afternoon, when Messrs Christie Bros, stated that, as the maintenance men had gone out with f h<‘ rest of the men, the existing firrs in the mine had got out of hand, necessitating the sealing up of the mine on Monday, which means that the present section will be closed for months at least. In the meantime another section of the field will be opened up; and by forced shifts it is Imped in a very short time to have places for a number of men. BOOTMAKERS’ DEMANDS. DUNEDIN. May 7. The demands of the operative bootmakers represent, it is understood, an increase in wages to the extent of about LI per cent, on the cost of labour. Negotiations so far have failed to bring about an agreement between employers and employed, and the parties will therefore moot in the Conciliation Council at Auckland on May 13.