THE OTIRA TROUBLE SETTLED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 474, 31 August 1909, Page 3

THE OTIRA TROUBLE SETTLED.

Christchurch, Last Night. i 4. The Otira tunnel dispute was settled at a conference which sat yesterday for six hours, aud came to an amicable settlement. Those present were : Messrs Hally (Conciliation Commissioner), Murdoch McLean, W. H. Gavin (engineer in charge), W. Williams (secretary to the Company), Messrs Betts aud Fagan (Union delegates) and W. H. Hagger (representative of Labour Department). The parties to the dispute accepted a recommendation from the Conciliation Commissioner, to the effect that the Union would undertake to indemnify the employers for any wilful damage or loss that might occur in connection with the Company’s lamps, so far as members the Union were concerned. The contractors agreed to provide 6oz of carbide per shift, or equal to 2lb 40Z for the week. Men will take lamps (which are numbered) to their huts, but will do the re-fillling at the tunnel. In regard to the short shifts on Saturday aud Monday, that question has been referred to the Arbitration Court through the inspector of Factories, for the interpretation of the legal position. In the meantime both parties have been requested to furnish statements of fact in regard to this matter, for information of the Court.