METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2023, 7 March 1907, Page 3

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Inst night. A long discussion took place at the Methodist Conference to-night on a motion proposed by the Rev. >S. La wry, that, subject to satisfactory report being presented by the committee, tho general conference bo recommended to make provision forgiving to tho annual conference of Now Zealand independent constitution, with full powers of legislation and control of its connectional funds under tho namo of the Methodist Church of New Zealand. The Rev. H. Bull moved an amendment that tho time was inopportune for separation. After a prolonged discussion tho amendment was rejected by 73 votes to 74. The conference by 78 votes to 69 then adopted a motion that in view of tho smallness of tho majority it was not expedient to proceed further with tho mattor. A BIG FIRE. BELFAST FREEZING WORKS IN FLAMES. Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, last night. 10.35 p.m.—A serious fire broke out at tho Belfast freezing works early this evening, and tho flames, fanned by a strong north-east wind, threaten to destroy the whole of tho works. Several of tho fire brigade engines from Christchurch have gone out the attempt to check the conflagration. No further particulars are yet available. 11.22 p.m.—The fire at Belfast freezing works was confined to tho fellmongery and tho wool store. Tho wind dropped just as the flames were approaching the main buildings. The fellmongery was valued at £6,000, and was practically destroyed with the wool store. No details as to insurances are yet available. 11.40 p.m.—Tho fire at the Belfast freezing works was subdued by 10.30 p.m. Both the fellmongery and wool store were totally destroyed, but tho manager of the company could give no estimate of the loss to-night. The fire will not interfere with killing operations at the works. The fellmongery was burned down exactly eight years ago to-night, and the present building was the one erected after that fire. ARBITRATION COURT. Press Association. THE CLOTHING TRADE. CHRISTCHURCH, last- night. At the sitting of the Arbitration Coxirt to-day a new agreement between the Christchurch Rattan and Wicker-workers’ Association and the Union was adopted by the Court as an award. The principal terms of the agreement were: Hours of work, 44 per week; minimum wage, 2s 2d per hour; no piece work permitted ; overtime to be paid at time and a quar r ter for the first three hours, and time and a half after; double time on Sundays; number of apprentices limited ; wages of apprentices from 5s to 25s for the fifth year, and preference of employment to unionists. An application for a fresh award, in accordance with the terms of an agreement arrived at between the clothing manufacturers of the colony and the Tailoresses’ Union, was also_ made to the Arbitration Court today. After referring to precedent the President of the Court said that tho Court would make an award in accordance with the agreement, as it seemed to have been the practice in other cases. The award Would date from the 3rd of April next, and would be in force for two years. The terms of the new award are mainly as follows:—Costume workers are provided, for; wages of apprentices to be £1 per week for the first year, £1 5s for the first six months of the second year, and £1 10s for the second six months; apprenticeship to bo for two years (it was only for one year previously) in all branches; two years’ improvership; wages to range from 5s per week to 22s 6d for the last six months of the improvership; minimum wage £1 ss; pressers’ minimum wage £2 15s (instead of £2 10s); costume workers’ minimum rate £1 2s 6d for the first year of the currency of th eaward, and £1 US after that. Preference also to be granted to unionists.