FLAXMILLS DESPUTE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3863, 27 October 1928, Page 3

FLAXMILLS DESPUTE.

CONCILIATION' COMMIS- ' SIGNER’S PROPOSALS. AGREED TO BY MILLERS. UNION OFFICIALS DEMAND AWARD RATES. A general meeting of the N.Z. Flaxmillers’ Association was held at Foxton yesterday afternoon presided over by Mr. C. N. Speirs (president). There were also present: Messrs W l . Ross, E. Sutton, D. R. Ogilvy, H. Greig, F. Wilson, A If. Fraser, W. Nye, W. Speirs, H. Seifert, and H. Berry. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. S. Moir, and Brown. The minutes of the meeting held on the 13th inst., were read and confirmed. The president reported that a meeting presided over by Mr. P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, had been held at Palmerston on /Thursday between the Association and Union. The Association was represented by himself and Messrs Ogilvy and J. S. Moir, and Messrs P. T. Robinson, ;S. Anderson and It. Downes (representing the Union). Mr. Clinkard of the Department of Industries and Commerce attended at the invitation of Mr. Hally. Mr. Speirs said Mr. Clinkard submitted a lengthy statement for consideration by both parties in relation to suggesed fixation of wages according to the value of the product. He said the Association’s delegates did not approve of the suggestions submitted. The delegates were addressed by the Commissioner who submitted the following prcF* posals for consideration: “That at the end of a period of three months (25th January) the present wages agreement of ten per cent, reduction be again reviewed by a joint conference of millers aud representatives of the workers. Should the parties at that conference be unable to agree upon the question of rates, the matter shall be jointly referred to the Court of Arbitration without delay. In the event of the price of hemp reaching £27 10s Od per ton at any period before 25th January then the wages shall be increased to the present award rate.” The association delegates approved of the suggestions but the union delegates disapproved. The president stated that he had pointed out to the meeting that the millers had acceded to the requests made by the union secretary and delegates and published in the press asking that the millers books be examined. He quoted the remarks of Mr. Robinson made at a public meeting in Foxton in which Mr. Robinson was reported as saying: “If the millers were agreeable to an inspection being made of their books a competent accountant would be employed to go thro - ugh them, and report as to whether the millers could show a profit on the existing prices or not. His word would be sufficient for the Union, and the contents of the books would be strictly confidential. ..... He also read a copy of a letter forwarded members of Parliament by the Association which the Association had sent the Union. The letter contained a request for a subsidy when the price of hemp fell below £25, and mentioned that the millers were prepared to have their books inspected in support of their contention that milling could not be carried out successfully at the present prices. That letter Mr. Robinson referred to as a hoax.” At a meeting of unemployed which waited upon Mr. Linklater, M.P., at Shannon on July 10th. Mr. Downs addressing Mr. Linklater said: “You say Mr. Seifert is prepared to meet the flaxmillers any time?” 'Speaking as one of the unemployed he asked, Would the millers be prepared to hold a conference comprised of three millers representatives and three Union officials with an independent chairman and table their books.’ If they will and it is shown that the industry does not warrant the present wage being paid, I am prepared as one of the unemployed to advise the men to accept the millers’ offer.” In an open letter to the Manawatu Flaxmillers, Mr. P. T. Robinson wrote: “Later, at another conference, your delegates were informed that the Union was firmly convinced that the prices ruling for hemp did not warrant a reduction fy your statement ‘that milling fy your statement “that milling could not be carried on at present prices.’ that you grant us the right to have your books examined by an accountant and if his investigations proved your statements correct, then the Union would agree to a reduction in wages.” At a later date Mr. P. T. Robinson published the following in a letter to the press: 1. “That if the millers are prepared to allow an accountant to investigate their books, and he reports that milling cannot be carried on at present prices, then the flaxworkers would agree to a reduction in wages.” 2. “That the wagesJm on a sliding scale, details of which have been published.” “We have information that flaxmilling is a splendid investment. If we are incorrect, offer No. 1 will settle this difference; if the millers are desirous of the workers taking their share of market fluctuations, offer No. 2 gets over this difficulty.”

The president, continuing said that the millers had acceded to the request of the Union officials who had now shifted their ground and were raising the sliding scale as an after thought. The millers are prepared to abide by the agreement entered into at the conference with the Prime Minister. The meeting sed the action of the association's delegates in accepting the recommendations of the Conciliation Commissioner. Other routine business was discussed. . FOXTON MILLS CLOSE DOWN. Owing to the demand by the Union officials that the millers pay the award rate of wages, the local mills have closed down. This will throw about 200 men out of employment. UNFOUNDED RUMOUR DENIED. The president of the Flaxmillers’ Association in conversation with our representative yesterday said a rumour had_ been put into circulation to the effect that the Association was responsible for the Foxton business people stopping the credit of . employees. He wished to give this statement an emphatic denial. “The association are in no way responsible for the action of the storekeepers,” he concluded. A meeting of the Flaxworkers’ Union is to be held at Foxton this aflernoon to discuss the situation.