FURNITURE LOCK-OUT.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 842, 17 March 1903, Page 2

FURNITURE LOCK-OUT.

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTE PRO CEEDINGS.

(Per Press Association.; WELLINGTON, last night,

A deputation of Trades’ Unionists interviewed tlie Premier tills evening concerning the Auckland lock-out, complaining that in Auckland the employers now refused to employ men who hitherto had been employed at the standard rate of wages. They asked that tlie Government’ should see that these employers w r ere prosecutedjor breach of award, and that provision should be made in the Act, if Lot already there, to prevent anything of the kind in the future. The Premier, in replying, said that tlie situation was one which required to be dealt with in a manner which would show that the law must be respected. He had sent Mr Tregear to Auckland, the intention of Government being to support tlie award, but it seemed to him the employers were determined upon tlie point, and the next question was to ascertain the real position. He thought the Court would look at it, that the administration of the Act should he strictly within the law, hut if the award could be defeated by (his means practically tlie unions had no protection at all. Believing that tlie law covered Die position he had given instructions for action to be taken for breaches of the award. Speaking of the work of the Arbitration Court. He said he thought it could be relieved of the task of dealing with claims for compensation and breaches of award, and other machinery could be set up for this purpose. Mr Seddon also promised to do what he could in regard to the duties on fittings.