BOILERMAKERS’ DISPUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9788, 11 October 1917, Page 2

BOILERMAKERS’ DISPUTE

OF FEE OF EMPLOYERS REFU SED The Conciliation Council resumed the hearing of the boilermakers' dispute yesterday. * .'lie assessors were as at .the .prqyxQU,s,,m.e,eting, and Mr VV. Jd. jfiagger, Oonciliation Commissioner, ■presided; p, Mr Warner, for the union, stated that the- proposals of the employers had'.beon placed before his union mem‘b'ers'ifof(minimum rates of Is 6d anu lid; Wat bonus per hour. The war bonus principle was objected to, and ‘tire-union demanded a flat rate right through. He put forward a proposal of a ; minimum wage of Is 9d per hour, fiat,rate. Mr Warner advanced arguments,in support of the increase, mentioning the nighcr cost of living, and uthe arduous conditions of the trade; tho cost of living would probably rise still further, and it was pointed out that owing to slacker competition irom America, prices could be raised proportionately. A discussion on the cost of living ...question followed, and later Mr Mitchell, for the employers, denied that there was less competition; tnere was an embargo' on materials for the hoilermaking trade, which they had endeavoured, through the Minister for, Munitions, to have raised, but so tar without. success. The cost of living must be borne by everyone alike, especially in time of war. A bigger pro-, ■ portion, of unskilled men, he said, drifted, to boilermaking than to most other trades, and such a high general minimum rate, to apply to unskilled workers also, was an impossible proposition, and would havo the effect ot throwing many men out of work altogether. He regretted to say that industrial agreements had not been always kepi in the past by the men, chiefly by the irresponsible section; blit such breaches of faith reflected on the just and unjusti alike. Se would regret to see the dispute brought before the Arbitration Court, for a certain amount of dirty linen would hay® to bo washed in connection with this matter. Mr Mitchell then withdrew the terms offered last Monday. Mr Warner touched upon the matter of apprentices, which, in his opinion, was important. The system of the teaching was bad and the pay was 'had ' and conditions must be improved if tiiey were- to recruit the trade from the youths. , ~ t Mr Slonebanks, for tho employers, said tliat the only means of gaming increased wages was by increased prostated that the Iron and Brass. Moulders’ and the Engineers’ Unions would be dissatisfied it Is 9d per hour were granted. He thought the union’s arguments were not convincing, and on behalf ot t-.e employers refused to grant the rate demanded. , . , . Upon the Commissioner s advice the delegates agreed to f' lT iJ er their union members and the meetin„ was adjourned for. that purpose.