AWARD DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1932, Page 4

AWARD DISPUTE

ENGINEERS AND EMPLOYERS. (ter tr'iss Association —• Copyriyht.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 28. When the engineers’ dispute re-open-ed at the Conciliation Council to-day, a lively discussion took place as to whether the conterence should proceed without tlie presence of tne moulders' representatives, who had intimatea their inability to be present on account of short notice. Eventually, it was decided that the parties represented should do their best to arrive at an agreement, and leave it open to the moulders to concur if they so desired. Commissioner Newton presided. Mr Thurston (Canterbury) for the Union, led the discussion, saying that any agreei.ent should involve the three organisations concerned, the engineers, moulders and boilermakers. The Commissioner said that any agreement arrived at would concern only those represented at the sitting.

Mr T.. 0. Bishop: “‘I want to say, quite frankly, that if those 'on the other side of the table are honest in their desire to bring about an agreement, there is nothing to stop them. If they break off the meeting, they are doing it deliberately, and are not hon*. est in their purpose.” Mr Thurston: “T object to that, We are just as honest ns you.” Mr Bishop; “I don’t menu it offensively. It’s just as well to get down to brass tacks an understand one another. There is no legal bar to our going ahead to-day.” Mr Thurston: “The only question is whether they are prepared to go on without the moulders.”

The workers’ representatives retired to discuss the question. Upon their return, Mr Thurston announced that they were prepared to proceed. T'he assessors proceeded to go through the proposals. An agreement was reached upon a number or minor points, but the main issues were held over until to-morrow, when the conference resumes.