GARDENERS’ DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 3, 28 September 1921, Page 9

GARDENERS’ DISPUTE

CONCILIATION COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. The Wellington gardeners' dispute was again before tho Conciliation, Council yesterday. At the original hearing of the dispute a point was raised by the employers’ assessors regarding the status of the union, it being contended that under its name it was not entitled to secure an award for nurserymen. Ultimately the question was referred to tho Arbitration Court for settlement. This Court ruled against the employers, holding that the union was entitled to apply for an award covering nurserymen employing nursery gardeners. The Commissioner, Mr. W. Newton, was In the chair, and the assessors present comprised: For the employers, Messrs. T Waugh, G. A. Green, and A. M'Millan; for the employees, Messrs. A. Collins, Harding, and Archer., Mr. W. Grenfell appeared as agent for the employers, while Mr. Dead represented the employees in a similar capacity. At the outset the employers’ assessors objected to the constitution of the union's assessors,' 1 holding that it was not sjufficipn/dy representative. of the men employed in tho industry concerne<l in the dispute. After considerable argument the, difficulty was got over by Mr Collins voluntarily retiring in faveur of Mr. A. Kersel, an experienced practical nurseryman and gardener Four employers who had "been cited were, with the consent of the union, struck out on the ground that they were fm- all practical purposes engaged solely in the business of market gardeners. After discussion, the union representatives agreed to a new clause inserted id the oountor-pTopo-sals to the effect that the award should not apply to persona growing fruit and vegetables for salt*.