TYPOGRAPHICAL DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 200, 19 May 1920, Page 7

TYPOGRAPHICAL DISPUTE

. 9 ; — AGREEMENT NOT BEACHED. . The Conciliation Council was occupied yesterday in hearing the New Zealand Typographical Federation's dispute. The proceedings were presided over by the Commissioner (Mr. W. Newton), and the assessors were: For the employers, Messrs. P. Pirani, C.\W. Earle,-and J. Gamble; for tho employees, Messrs. T. Sheerin, 11. Ferguson, and P. A. Syers. Mr.' C. H. Chapman appeared as agent for the Federation. _ The Commissioner remarked at the outsot that though the dispute was originally filed as a Dominion one. it w_u« now being, proceeded with as a local dispute. ■ On behalf of the employees, Mr. Chapman said it was hoped that any settle; mcnt\arrived at would become a settle<b«»nt for the whole Dominion. The parties in Wellington had met on four occasions during the lasti three, montns, and an agreement was arrived at in tlib matter of wages for hand compositors. . The onlv difference of opinion still existing in regard to the terms of the award was on the question of the cost of living bonus. Tho men had demanded .£6 per week, exclusive of bonus, and had been granted .£5. They now proposed to goi to the Arbitration Court for the 6s. bonus it had recently awarded. In opening the case for the employers, Mr. Pirani said he regretted that the act of jrace 011 the part of the employers had been construed by the employees into capitulation, when such a thing was never intended. Contrary to Mr,. Chapman's statement, the cost-of-living bonus, was specifically included in tho amount arrived at in the agreement quoted. . The employers, therefore,' could not look at the demand for ifis plus a cost-of-living bonus of 6s. Every employer in the trade in New Zealand had repudiated everything above ■£&,, inclusive of the bonus. The limit the employers were prepared to concede was :an additional Is; 3d., bringing the total minimum wage to .£5 Is. 3d., the same figures as conceded to machinists. Mr. Pirani emphasised that many of the tnen received . considerably above' the minimum wage. It was a well-known fact that a first-class printer commanded u. much higher wage than £5. After some discussion the Council went into committee. The deliberations lastfd all day, arid no. agreement being arrived at, further hearing of the dispute wa6 adjourned-till May 25. -■