N.Z. Bootmakers.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 32, 8 March 1912, Page 9

N.Z. Bootmakers.

BUSY TIME AHEAD

As tlm Now Zealand Bootmakers' Award expired last December, representation was made by the I'jniployees , Federation for higher was.es and better conditions than thoso which prevail at present. The 'Employers' Association of Boot Manufacturers rl*"<-icl*.*d to moot the men in conference, which opened in Wolliiigton, February 15.

The manufacturers were represented by Messrs. X- Hannah (Wellington), Dearsley, Murray and Hodgson (Aiiek- , laud), McKinley (Dune-din), and O'Brien (Christchurch). the employees by Messrs. Barnes (Auckland). Hutchison (Wellington), Lancaster (New Plymouth), Wiriting (Christchureh), Brown (Dunedin), and Harper (Invercargill). The conference lasted three days, during which the employers introduced the old "bngcy" of increased tariff, but after the men's previous experience, they rightly turned such proposal down, recognising that the economic conditions cannot be bettered generally when a wall of protection is constructed for the benefit of a few grumbling manufacturers. Realising that the bootmakers wore showing fight, the employers dropped the tariff "bogey," and in considering tho men's demands for a 44-hour week, with Is. 4d per hour, the -employers offered to agreo to the present award, with an increase of id. per hour.

As no increase was forthcoming to tho female operatives, the employms' representatives refused to agree to such terms, with the result that the conference ended abortively.

The disputo will bo referred to the for settlement; that is, if all tho unions affiliated to the Boot Employees' Federation are agreeable, which is very doubtful, for bootmakers generally are sick of a Court which considers that £2 Ss. per week is sufficient remuneration for a tradesman after serving five years' apprenticeship. Although tho offer is i<l. per hour in excess of tho Australian Bootmakers' Award, the men's representatives nrc to be commended for their action in standing solid and not allowing the women in the boot trade to Iky ignored whilst they themselves could hare obtained an increase.

As Industrial Unionism is impregnating tho minds of many prominent hootmakers, wo shall watch with deep interest tho pressure brought to bear by bootmakers in their honest endeavors to remove the stigma that the bootmakers are the worst paid body of men in New Zealand.

There's a busy time ahead for tho leather workers.

"Tiny Town/ the quaint village of queer little people, whose big policeman stands 36 inches high, will open a tour of Now Zealand at the close of their Sydney season. These little people, who aro miniature models of men and women, and not misshapen or distorted in any way, give an entertainment which drew 7164 persons to their village, on tho opening day of the Sydney season.