TIMBER WORKERS’ AWARD

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1928, Page 4

TIMBER WORKERS’ AWARD

NO AGREEMENT REACHED. GREYMOUTII, Eeb. S •lir AY. 11. Dagger, Conciliation Commissioner, presided over a meeting held at the Courthouse to-day to consider a dispute between the Westland Timber A arils and Sawmiliers’ Union and the employers. An application for a local award was made by the employers, who were represented by .Messrs W.

Butler (Hokitika). .1. W. Caldwell (Greymouth) and John Gilbert (Kiiniara). The Union repesentatives wore Messrs B. Topp (Mawheraiti) and J. Doyle (Nelson Creek)- Messrs C. Prime ' empoyers’ I oprvsentativei and U. L. 'Curley ('l’iinher Workers’ Union) were also present. Counter proposals were made liy the Workers’ Union. Mr I’rinie, on behalf of the employers. stated that the application of the employers was for a Westland or local award. The Workers’ Union had also applied for a Dominion award. In other districts, the question of a local award had been held over until the Court had made a decision as to whether a Dominion award would he "ranted. The employers contended it was not practicable to have a Dominion award, as conditions varied in the various districts. The employers wished to have an assurance that in the event of the question of a local award being dismissed, that no reference he made to tiny mutter which the Union may require inserted in a .Dominion award.

Mr Turley pointed out that a discussion would he held in Christchurch on February 111 regarding a Dominion award. If they discussed the present proposals and arrived at an agreement or a partial agreement, it would not he necessary for the Conciliation Council to meet again in the event of the Court not allowing a Dominion award. If they did not discuss the proposals he fore them, the matter would have to go straight on to the Arbitration Court. Nothing which would he discussed at their present meeting could aifect what would take place at the conference regarding a Dominion award.

.Mr Dagger pointed out that the employers wanted the proposals discussed purely as a local dispute, with the idea of forming a local award, with no reference to the Dominion dispute. .Mr Turley—'That is impossible.

Mr Dagger remarked that under such circumstances they had two alter natives. The meeting could be adjourned until after the Court had dealt with the question of a Dominion award, or the whole matter could ho referred direct to the Arbitration Court with no recommendations. Mr Butler moved that the case he adjourned sine die pending the decision of the Court as to whether it would make a Dominion award or local awards. Mr Turley objected to an adjournment. It was decided to forward the proposals on to the Arbitration Court with no recommendation from the Conciliation Council.