CONCILIATION COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2431, 9 April 1915, Page 6

CONCILIATION COUNCIL

STONEMASONS' DISPUTE. Some time-ago a partial agreement was reached in the dispute between tho stonemasons' union of workers and the employers, but the dispute could not be finally settled by the Arbitration Court in consequence of the decision to suspend tho hearing of disputes during tho unsettled period following the outbreak of war. When the Court decided to resume the hearing of disputes again, the, stonemasons' partial agreement was referred back to tho Conciliation Council 'to see if some additional points could be agreed upon. When tho council re-assembled yesterday the Commissioner (Mr. P. Hally) presided. Messrs. A. Wilson, W. Mills, and W. L. Thompson were the assessors for the employers, while Messrs. J. B. Hickniott, John Barr, and R. S. Lithgow were the assessors for the union. The union's demands were for a week of 44 hours, with wages at the rate of Is. 9d. per hour, but the partial recommendation to the Court made no mention of wages, because no agreement had been reached on this important point. Other matters still in dispute 'woro: Definition of stonemasons' work, under-rate workers, suburban work, preference, providing tools, tho working of imported stone, and the scope of the award. Yesterday's discussion was in_ committee, and the parties succeeded in reaching an agreement on all sections of the dispute, with the exception of wages and one or two minor details.