SADDLERS' DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 292, 29 August 1918, Page 6

SADDLERS' DISPUTE

REFERRED TO ARBITRATION COURT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, August 28. Tho Conciliation Council was engaged to-day in hearing the saddlers' dispute. At a previous hearing iu July proceedings were adjourned upon the understanding that representatives from all centres of the Dominion should attend this siLting, and tiutt any recommendations agreed upon should apply to all ■ centres in the Dominion where tho industry is prosecuted. Today's sitting was therefore iu the nature of a Dominion Conference., though nominally discussing Otago and Southland demands. The matter of wages was discussed, but, no agreement on this issue had beeli readied at the lunchcon adjournment. -After luncheon an offer under the wages clause was made by the employers, giving a slight advance oil the. present rates. The union representatives refused tlio offer, and said they preferred to accept Is. Gd. per hour, if the wages of improvers were also raised by 55., and the demands of female stitchers were granted. This proposal was not accepted by tho employers. As a result of the sitting it may thus be stated that no agreement was reached on hours of work, classes of workers, wages, overtime, apprentice, and female stitchers. • Agreement was arrived at. as to under-rate workers in factory and .workshops, preference and holidays, and tho scope, of tho award was limited to Otago and Southland. The dispute was therefore referred to tlio Arbitration Court.