NO AGREEMENT REACHED

Chronicle (Levin), 8 March 1948, Page 5

NO AGREEMENT REACHED

WELLINGTON, Alarch 7. The Government 's proposals for the settlement of the e-arpenters ' dispute were defmed at a meeting on Saturday between the national executive of the Federation of Labour and the - Priiue Mmis-t.e.f-(Ali':. Fraser^. -and- .-t'he-JJinister *bf- Labour fMr. "AtcLagah), but no agreement was reached as tlie * representatives of the Federation wanted tliem considered by their full executive. The outstanding difference between the proposals of the Government and tlie executive of the Federation is understood to be that while the latter asked that tlie prosecutions of those charged with instigating and promoting the illegal go-slow tactics. of the union should be stayed as a preliminary to the giving of assurances in restpect to the go-slow strike and present and future observance.of the law, the Government is insisting that a guarantee to observe Ihe law must be given 'before it decides to limit legal action in respeet of meinbers of the Carpenters' Union other than those already charged.

The Government 's attitude - to the dispute was defined as follows: (1) .That au assurance must be obtained from the Carpenters' Union that tlie go-slow will be called off immediately and that the industrial law will be strictlv oliseryed in future by the Carpenters' Union; (2) in the event o.f suclis au assurance tliat it wijl observe the industrial law 110AV and in the future "no further sum monses against the Carpenters' Union. its officers or metnbers will be issued, but the t'ases iri which summonses alreadj' have been jssued mqst proceed; (3) that the Government is of opinion tliat if the go-slow strike is callej off there is nothing, tp present the Carpenters' Union making further application to tlie Court for an amendment of

its present award, but to place tliis beyond do.ubt the Government wil] consult the Solicitor-General immediately and advise the Federation of Labour of the opinion received from him; (4) .if desired by the Carpenters' Union the Government will theri facilitate tlie making' of a further application to the Court of Arbitratiou fqr an aniendment of tlie union 's award and/or the commencement of .proceedings for -a new award at the eaj'liest posgible moment 'after the Gavernment \s terms aijd proposals have been explained verbally (since -embodied' i»- a- letter to the aec./etary of the Federatiori, Mr. K. McL.

Baxter) and been considered by tfie ■ Federation executive^-./ 51 The president of t'Ke Federatio^ (Mr. A. W. Croslcery) hari'ded the t olTowiirg^ > statemeiit to the Priiue Alinister:. ' ' That in view of the fact tliat the national rouncil passed a resolution . autliorisingv us to conduct negotiations and expressly stated that during ' the negotiations prosecutions be stayed, the executive present after hearing the Prinie Alinister 's statement that the present prosecutions are to be proceeded with feel that a further meeting- of the full executive will requi-re to be iield to consider the Gifvemment's pro posals. " Alembers of the national executive of the Federation of Labour met the Prime Alinister and Alr. AleLagan late 011 Friday afternoon to discuss the present, industrial situation created by ■ ihe go-slow policy of the Carpenters' y Union. The secretary of the ..Carpenters' Union (Air. R. Stanley)."' and the president of the .union- (Al-r, Fv?Langleya' , iicconipaiiied' the ekecutife" meriibers^aS^ L associates. After about an hour's discussion tlie meeting adjourned until 11 : a.m. on Saturday. The Prim'e Alinister asked that the executive put their proposals into cdn erete consecutive form and the discussion was resumed on Saturday fore110011. The represontatives of the Car penters ' Cuion were not then present At this meeting the Government's proposals were defmed-. The seeretafy ot the Federation of Labour (Air. Baxter) stated tonight that the Government's proposals "for a settlement of the Carpenters' Dispute would be considered I by a meeting of the full executive 0) the Federation tomorrow.