CONCILIATION CONFERENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 491, 7 October 1909, Page 3

CONCILIATION CONFERENCE.

The Commissioner, Mr P. Hally, met the assessors of the Mauawatu Elaxmills Employees Uniou and the N.Z. Flaxmillers Association, at the Palmerston N. Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, at 10.30 a.m. The employers were represented by Mr W. Pryor, and a brief adjournment took place till 11.45 to allow tlie representative of the Union time to arrive by the Wellington train.

Opening for the employers, Mr Pryor said that unless the men were prepared to waive the claims they had submitted and argue on the existing award as a basis for REDUCTION IN WAGES AEL ROUND, it was, as far as be could see, useless to bide from the Commissioner the fact that any attempt at conciliation would necessarily be a failure. The employers, whilst unable to apply fo r “no award,” had, in their counter-proposals to the uniou’s claims, framed the rough outline to an award, which was tantamount to a reversion to the conditions of things previous to the last award, i.e., complete freedom of contract. The present condition of the industry, according to Mr Pryor, was so precarious that nothing short of an all round reduction could save it from utter and irretrievable ruin.

Mr Pryor’s arguments were hotly refuted'by the uuiou assessors, who pointed out that whilst their claims were based on the existing award, their were certain points which would bear discussion and certain concessions which might be made. They were willing, indeed they were anxious, to arrive at a settlement, but they could not for one moment entertain the suggestion that the conference should proceed on a reduction basis pure and simple. Matters seemed at a deadlock and desultory discussion brought a welcome adjournment for lunch. Previous to the luncheon hour, Mr Hally intimated that he would meet the union assessors in committee at 2.15 and the employers assessors at 3.30 with a view to lessening the existing tension. At the appointed hour an informal talk was held between the commissioner and the men, when the suggestion of a sliding scale was gone into. The matter was then left in the hands of Mr Hally for discussion with the millers. A further formal meeting of the commission was heled at 8 p.m., but, owing to the inability of the assessors to arrive at a satisfactory basis for settlement of wages, the commissioner regretfully realised that all further efforts at conciliation would prove futile and declared the coufereuce at an end.

Mr Pryor regretted the inability of the conference to settle the dispute. He applauded the efforts of both sides to effect a settlement, and voiced his own appreciation of Mr Hally’s earnest endeavours iu the line of conciliation. Mr R. H. Dalhousie followed iu a similar strain. He laid special stress on the fact that the absolute authority giveu by the Union to their assessors invested them with a two fold responsibility, and regretted that a due consideration of the workers’ interests prevented them from coming into line with the proposals of the employers.

A vote of thanks to the chair, proposed by Mr R. T. Bell, and carried by acclamation, terminated the prodeedings.

The result of this abortive conference is that the existing award will continue in force until a new one is made by the full Court. As the Commissioner must withhold his recommendations for 30 days, the case will be too late for the next sitting, on the 28th instant, and must therefore be held over until the Court next visits Palmerston North.