H.—ll

XXXVIII

of the union. They agreed to an increase of wages from Bs. to 9s. per day, but could not give 10s., as fixed by the award. They could not agree to the increase of 10 per cent, in wages when the men were employed on country jobs. Exception was also taken to other points. On account of these objections the employers were notified that it was the intention to place the matter before the Board of Conciliation. There were twenty-five carpenters and joiners in Eangiora and district, and twenty-one out of this number were members of the union, whilst another two intended to join. As competition existed with the employers at Woodend and Oust, they had been cited with the local builders. The recommendations of the Board were as follows :— (1.) The minimum rate of wages for a competent tradesman shall be 9s. per day from the 19th May, 1898, to the 31st August, 1898, and 10s. per day from the Ist September, 1898, till the sth July, 1899. Men considered unable to earn the minimum wage shall be paid such lesser sum, if any, as the committee of the employers and workmen, which the Board recommends shall be set up, shall agree upon ; or, if the committee cannot agree, the rate shall be fixed by the Chairman of the Board of Conciliation. (2.) Forty-four hours shall constitute a week's work. (3.) All time-work beyond eight hours on the first five days of the week and four hours on Saturday, also on holidays, to be paid for at time and a quarter for the first four hours, and time and a half afterwards, (i.) All men sent to a country job to be conveyed or have travelling-expenses and their time paid for going and returning, and a,n addition of 10 per cent, to their wages when the distance necessitates lodging ; but where the accommodation is provided by the employer the 10 per cent, not to apply. (5.) The suburban limit for men walking to and from their work shall be two miles from their employer's yard. The time-limit for men being driven to work shall be 7.30 a.m. at the shop; beyond that, Rule 4to apply. (6.) Employers shall employ members of the Canterbury Carpenters and Joinera' Association, Rangiora Branch, No. 2, in preference to non-members, provided Wiat the members of the union are equally qualified with non-members to perform the particular work required to be done, and are ready and willing to undertake it. Where non-members are employed there shall be no distinction between members and non-members ; both shall work together in harmony, and under the same conditions, and both shall receive equal pay for equal work. Any dispute under this rule, if it cannot be settled by the committee above referred to, shall be decided by the Board of Conciliation. The recommendations, if agreed to, to remain in force up to and inclusive of the sth July, 1899. Christchurch, Furniture Trades Dispute (before the Conciliation Board). —Dispute between the Christchurch United Furniture Trades Union and Mr. W. Pyke. The union wished Mr. Pyke to comply with the recommendations of the Board in November last (quoted page xvii., last year's report). The Board decided that he should agree to their recommendations. Building Trade Dispute (before the Conciliation Board). —Dispute between the union and Mr. Palmer. This was an alleged breach of the agreement (quoted pages vi. and vii., last year's report). The committee appointed had failed to do anything. Mr. Talbot (for the union) contended that there had been a breach of the award given by the Judge of the Court of Arbitration. The employer (Mr. Palmer) had broken clause 6of that award, which was as follows :— Employers shall employ members of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners and the Canterbury Carpenters and Joiners' Association, or members of any other properly constituted union of carpenters and joiners, in preference to non-members, provided that the members of the unions are equally qualified with non-union members to perform the particular work required to be done, and are ready and willing to undertake it. When non-members are employed there ehall be no distinction between members and non-members ; both shall work together in harmony, and both shall work under the same conditions, and reoeive equal pay for equal work. Any dispute under this rule, if it cannot be settled by the committee (of employers and workmen), shall be decided by the Board of Conciliation. He (Mr. Talbot) stated that the cause of the present complaint was that A. Palmer had contravened the award of the Arbitration Court by having, on the 19th March, discharged Andrew Hardie, a member of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, and Henry Went, a member of the Canterbury Carpenters and Joiners' Union, and having retained in their places nonunion men, for which the union claimed damages to the extent of £10. He said that, in the event of the defendant still not abiding by the decision of the Board of Conciliation, the matter would then have to be taken to the law-court. The Chairman announced that the Board had decided that it had no power to hear the dispute under existing rules, as the union had assessed the damages at £10. It would be a serious injustice for the defendant if the Board changed the reference without giving him due notice. The Board adjourned to allow an amended reference to be filed. The Board, after the adjournment, terminated its next sitting without settling the dispute, as, owing to three members having retired, the Board was not properly constituted. It appears that Mr. Palmer did not appear before the Board, as he held that the Board should not settle the difficulty. It is stated that if he had appeared, and agreed to abide by the Board's recommendation, the question might have been settled. (See July list for further hearing before the Conciliation Board.) Dunedin. Iron- and Brass-moulders' Dispute (before the Conciliation Board). —The order of reference contained the following conditions of employment demanded by the union : — (1.) Eight hours to be the standard day's work on five days of the week, and on Saturday four hours; but the different shops can arrange to work a fraction of an hour each day to, make up for the Saturday half-holiday, for which fraction no extra overtime shall be charged. (2.) Overtime shall be paid at the rate of time and a quarter for the first two hours; after the first two hours, time and a half. Double time to be paid for Sundays, Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Labour Day; other statutory holidays, time and a half. (3.) The minimum rate of wages of journeymen shall be 10s. per day, or Is. 3d. per hour. (4.) The number of apprentices shall be limited to one to three men, to be calculated on the average number of men employed during the preceding twelve months; no apprentice to serve for a shorter period than seven years. No boy shall be admitted to the trade over sixteen years of age. (5.) The members of the Dunedin or any other properly constituted union of iron- and brass-moulders to have the pre-emptive right of employment. (6.) The above to be embodied in an industrial agreement, to be filed in the Supreme Court and made binding for the term of years.