WORK AND WAGES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2039, 26 March 1907, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Recently a deputation from the Trades and Labour Council waited on the Minister of Lijbopr, making strong complaints concerning the method of administration of the department. The Hon. J. A, Miller has written Lo the Secretary of the Cooks and Waiters’ Union stating that he has made full enquiry, and “it appears to me that so far as the Cooks and Waiters’ Union is concerned there is not much cause foi complaint against the department, t may point out that your agrepifient came into operation only on the 26th November last, and since that time 28 cases have been dealt with by the court, a conviction following i neacli case; 140 others Jiave been filed and are awaiting the court to he dealt with. The remainder are either under investigation or instructions have been given to cite. Under these circumstances I do not think it possible for your Union to maintain the department have not endeavoured to see the agreement carrid out, notwithstanding tlie fact that the agreement is one of the most difficult for employees to work under, and also for the department to administer,’'

Mr. Carey, secretary, replying to the Minister, reiterates his former complaint and asserts that the department condoned breaches hv accepting payment qf brick money after the breadies had been inovstigated and proved. He combats the Minister’s statement that flic agreement is difficult to administer, and says he only difficulty of the agreement is tho obstinacy of some of the employers wlio are party to it, and who have never before been touched by u strong Union of workers. Mr. Carey

further contends that there was great delay in answering correspondence on the part of the department, and admitting that investigation had boon made into some complaints, it could not have taken a month. He points to instances where letters were not answered for over a month. The Secretary asked for a further enquiry and that an opportunity bo given him to provo all that was sub milted by the deputation.