CARPENTERS' DISPUTE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1868, 30 September 1913, Page 5

CARPENTERS' DISPUTE.

The industrial dispute between the Wellington Branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters' and Joiners' Union and the employers was heard by the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. P. Hally) yesterday. The old award is expiring, and the union is seeking a new one. Tho employers were represented by Messrs. A. Campbell, W. L. Thompson, P.- C. Watt, and W. A. Grenfell (agent). Messrs. G. Blatherwick, H. Bdmfield, W. H. Hampton, and W. Homer (agent) represented the union. The terms of the claims of the union have already been published. Applications for exemptions from the provisions of the award were made by the Harbour Board, Wellington Woollen Mills, Mr. 11. E. White, Wellington Ga3 Co.', and tho Union Steam Ship Co. Discussion 011 the claims for oxemption and the demands of the union occupied the attention of the Commissioner all day.

The council was unable to come to any definite conclusion in the direction of making a recommendation in respect to the more important matters in dispute. In view of tho fact that the employees desire a Dominion award, it appeared to the council that it was almost impossible to arrange a recommendation o ftliis nature where the employers were only selected from one district. It was finally left to the Commissioner to ask the union of workers and the employers to appoint seven delegates to meet in Wanganui in November, on tho occasion of the annual conference of New Zealand builders and contractors. It is hoped that an agreement may then be arrived at in regard to wages, hours, holidays overtime, preference, etc. If this proves to be the case, the agreement will bo submitted to tho Court, to bo m;rV an award applicable to tho whole of the Dominion. In the _ meantime the business of the Conciliation Council stands adjourned.