THE FERRY TROUBLE.
COMPANY'S STAND. WILL TREAT THROUGH COURT. Tho directors of the Wellington Harbour Ferries, Ltd., met yesterday afternoon to consider the situation that lias been created by the men's demands for liigTier pay and improved working conditions. Tho meeting was not open to tho press. After the meeting, however,- Mr. W. Watson, chairman of directors, informed a Vomictok reporter of tho effect of what had been done. "Tho directors considered," ho said, "that it is no use coming to an agreement which, not being an award, would not be binding on either part} - , and therefore they decided to suggest to the men's agent (.Mr.. Farland) that, -if the men were dis:>atis(iwl with tho present award, wo would join (hem in going to tho Court for a fresh one."
( "Tlic point is this," added Mr. Watson, "we aro informed by our legal adviser (hat tlio award made in 1908 is still in force, and wo think that it is in the interests of those who travel by tho boats,' that any arrangement made should be so made as to bo binding on ljotli parties, and should lx> made in accordance withthe process provided by law. We maj' mako an agreement with tho men whom wo hai-e now, but, in a. little while, wemay have a fresh set of men, who mny want a new agreement. Thero can be nothing final or binding about-an agreeincnt arrived at apart from the Court. There aro only sixteen men affected." It .is rumoured—this from anothersource—that a ballot of the workers waa" taken on Sunday evening on tho question of whether they would strike if their demands wero not granted, and that a largo majority decided against resorting to a.strike. Mr. Farland stated.yesterday to a reporter, who questioned! him about tho ballot, that it had been held' some days ago. Ho declined to 6ay what tlio result of the vote had been, but he gave it as his opinion that tho men would assuredly strike unless they got better working conditions. It is stated also that tho New Zealand Federation of Labour, tho organiser for which body (Mr. R. Semple) is in Wellington at present, has interested itself in the ferry workers' difference with the company,
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Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1332, 9 January 1912, Page 5
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372THE FERRY TROUBLE. Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1332, 9 January 1912, Page 5
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