SERIOUS POSITION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1316, 20 December 1911, Page 5

SERIOUS POSITION.

< THE AUCKLAND. LABOURERS.' BOTH SIDES DETERMINED. IBy Tcleiratib.-Press Association.! -Li. -. i- Auck 'and. December 19. , Ino situation in connection with the general labourers' dispute is rapidly assuming a raoro serious aspect. Both sides exhibit determination, and those who should-he in'a'position to place the true value on the attitude of either party, beliovo that tho next day or two will sec important developments. J no union are evidently postponing further action till the result of tho conference oi the suburban local bodies is ascertained. • The conference wili be held on Übursday evening. A WELLINGTON UNIONIST'S VIEWS. ~)\ 1 ;-. -\'- J- Rcardon, secretary of the Wellington General Labourers' Union, intcrvicwed yesterday in regard to tho Aupk and labourers', dispute, definitely staled that outside of this city the highest wugo awarded by the Arbitration court to general labourers was Is. per hour and in Auckland the men had to Hud thou- own picks and shovels. "It is (|i;ite understandable under the circumstances, added Mr. Keanlon, "that the men have felt that the Court has not been a satisfactory tribunal. Unfortunately, in Auckland there has been a persistent preaching during (he hist two years o) the general strike principle, and tlii! men have not been in favour of political action. They are apparently being put to tho test by the'employers, and it remains io be seen whether the strike will io. u better weapon than tho political action ol the Wellington Union and the arbitration Act- The agreements with the scoria pit workers, builders, and road contractors each expired on August lf> last. Jhcso would have been still in operation but for tho fact that during tho last fewweeks the union has cancelled its registration under tho Act. Under tho Arbitration Act only two parties are recognised: union or federation on the one hand, and the cuvnloyers on the other." Mr, Rcardon added: "The conditions of employment in Auckland are certainly very much worse than they are in Wellington, and wages are much lower. Ordinary pick and shovel men are paid is. per hour, finding their own implements, whereas in Wellington tho .minimum for tho same work is Is. lid., whilo a big proportion of cmplovcrs" are paving Is". 2>d. and Is. -Id. If the Auckland Union had remained under tho Act tho employers would not have been abio.to ignore the union as they are now doing." The following tenders were accepted by the City Council last evening:—Copper viro for Tramways Department, Laurenco and Hanson; electric meters, H. S. King; painting work at Newtown Park. Jacksun and Co.' Consideration of tenders for Citstiron pipes was postponed till Friday. No tenders wcro received for wire for fire-alarms. A special meeting of the Citv Council is to bo held on Friday afternoon at 3 o clock for the purpose of considering applications for the position of tramways traluc manager. .