WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1921, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE WATERSIDE DISPUTE. A CONFERENCE. (Our Special Correspondent;. WELLINGTON, Feb. 28.

Though the conference held on Saturday between representatives of the employers of waterside labour and of the waterside workers was followed by no announcement that could be taken as an indications of an early settlement of the existing dispute, there is a feeling abroad that some progress was made towards that much desired consummation. Tin! representatives of the employers, without being aggressive, remained quite firm in their insistence upon a definite assurance of the good faith of the men as a preliminary to the resumption of work. The reprei ..entailves of tl.e men did not refuse to irjve this assurance, hut they asked tor j time to consult their principals on the 1 matter and this was readily conceded. 1 a ,-cpl.v is expected within the next forty-eight hours. i ‘ the Parties.

Meanwhile the employers are taking nothing for granted, except the necessity for making every preparation for a prolonged struggle between the. parties. Hoping for the best and preparing lor the worst is the keynote of their policy. The number of vessels moored in the .tret,m increased during the week-end i„ fifteen, and unless a settlement is , cu bed during the next few days these vessels will either seek employment elsewhere or greatly reduce their crews. Already the carrying firms of tho city have largely reduced their staffs of drivers and general,hands and other reductions must follow if the trouble is prolonged. To-day there is talk of many of the wholesale houses following suit. They, of course, are under no obligation to keep idle hands on their pav sheet. THE. COAL MINES.

At the moment there is no sign of the coal-mine dispute taking a more favourable turn. The Owners Association is emphasising its refusal to consider the men's demands for the discontinuance of the contract system, the institution of the.-.six-hour day and the five-day week, the abolition of afternoon shifts and tlie payment for holidays and lost time by insisting that these demands mii st he withdrawn before it will join in conference. More than this, the own-

ers have let it lie. known quite clearly that they will not tolerate a‘ resumption of the “go-slow” policy if that should he the men’s reply to their refusal. Just what their next step v, oi ill I he, it is impossible to say, hut it is significant that stocks of coal are being vorv carefully conserved by the State and municipal authorities. MEAT FREIGHTS. A good deal of dissatisfaction is being expressed by producers at the failure of the High Commissioner to induce tlie Home authorities to modil.v the controlled freight rates on meat. The Prime Minister was giving strenuous attention to this matter so long ago as July last and has been in constant com miinicatioii with the High Commissioner on tlie subject ever since; but the rates .instead of being reduced, have been largely increased, and the people immediately concerned are disposed to place much of the blame for this unfortunate development, which they de-

scribe as disastuus, upon the shoulders of the Dominion’s representative in Loudon. The latest communication from Sir James Allen is published C morning and though Air Massey resents ang suggestions that his old colleague lias been remiss in the matter he intends to continue protesting against the imposition.