FLAXMILLS' DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 233, 26 June 1919, Page 10

FLAXMILLS' DISPUTE

WORK RECOMMENCED IN FOXTON DISTRICT THE OFFER, OF THE EMPLOYERS By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent. Palmerston North, June 25. Reports from Pox ton indicate that the flaxmills in that distrust ' have recommenced work under .tho scale of wages offered by- the Flaxmillers' Association. The' full text of tho employers' offer is as follows:—Cutting, 20 per cent, off the previous rates; paddocking, with carting (summer), 325., and (winter) ;!55.; paddocking, without carting (summer) 235., and (winter) 265.; automatic scutcher, one press, 17s. Gd.; two presses, lGs.; including pressing tow, ISs. Gd.; hand scutcher, 305.; day work, Is. .71 d. per hour; feeders, Is. 9d. per hour; feeders and stripperkceper, 2s. Gd. extra per day. The majority of the men in the other districts decline, however, to accept; tho employers' schedule of wages, and many mills are at a standstill.;

A meeting of the union w«s held w Foxton yesterday, and/a further meeting will bo hold at- Shannon to-morrow.

In a statement issued to the Press today the union points out that a letter was sent asking the association, on behalf of tho union representatives, that if they were to advise their members to accept the piecework rales as offered, if the association would be prepared to increase tho rato for day work from Is. 7-Jd, to Is. 9d. per hour, It was [jointed out that the reduction in the piecework rates meant a. considerable decrease in the cost of production, while tho small increaso suggested would increase the cost of. production 60 slightly that it would be nioro than compensated for by an early settlement and the consequent resumption of the industry. A reply was received to this from the executive of the Millers' Association rejecting the suggestion on the ground that the scale of wages submitted had been drawn up with a view of providing equitable remuneration 'for the different work done, and acceptance of the suggestion would entail a revision of the whole scale. The union was, according to the statement, etill open for further negotiations, but was advising its members not to engage except at those mills whero the minimum of Is. 9d. per hour was being paid. The union's statement makes no reference to the employers' statement that the only other solution was that tho matter' be refenred to the Arbitration Court,