MILLERS’ DISPUTE

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 520, 17 September 1902, Page 2

MILLERS’ DISPUTE

AUCKLANDERS EASILY SATISFIED (By Tolegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, last night. In rcferenco to the disputo in tho flour milling trade, which has been referred to tho Arbitration Court, so far as Auckland is concerned, tho disputo is only a technical one, tho employers and employees having mutually signed a letter to tho chairman of tho Conciliation Board agreeing to accept wbatover terms as to hours, wages, otc., tho Court may award for tho Southern mills. In tho letter thoy state “Wo aro willing to abide by tho ruling of His Honor Judge Cooper, provided wo aro put on exactly tho sumo footing as our 50 to 60 Southern competitors are. Wo wish to bring under your notico that Auckland is tho dumping ground for tho Southern mills, as woll as rccont largo importations of American Hour by mail steamors, Auckland being tho first port of call for tho mail steamers, naturally tho cost of American flour is less hero than at Southern ports. Auckland employers aro in do way connected with the Southern milling trust or combine, and thoy aro at a disadvantage to ship Hour South owing to tho back freight, as tho bulk of their wheat is imported from tho South, wheroas with noarly all their Southern rivals' wheat is in the vicinity of tho mills.