FLAXMILLING DISPUTE.

Shannon News, 19 October 1928, Page 3

FLAXMILLING DISPUTE.

A NEW DIFFICULTY. AWARD RATES CLAIMED. From correspondence that has been handed to the press it appears that the. deadlock in the flaxmilling industry is far from settled. The settlement put forward by the Prime Minister and accepted by' the milleis and workers was as follows: "That we representing the iiaxjiill owners and the flaxmill workers, agree to a settlement of the present dispute obtaining in the industry on the following basis: — 1. A wage reduction of 10 per cent on present award wpges based on the average value of flax at £24 10s. 2. Wage to be increased to award rates •when flax reaches the average price of £27 10s. "It is agreed that an investigation shall be made into the trading accounts and last year's balance sheets by the Department of Industries and Commerce and that the position regarding a sliding scale of wages shall be reviewed after the investigation has been completed." The result of the investigation proposed by the Prime Minister was anifbunced this week and was to the effect that "while the financial results of the five mills vary considerably, during the past trading year the profits have, speaking generally, been relatively low. I. am further satisfied that without an appreciable reduction in costs of manufacture, present day prices for hemp will not in the main allow of operation at a profit. A reduction of .10 per cent, in wages below award rates will not result in manufacturers generally making more than a comparatively small profit."

AWARD RATES DEMANDED

Following on this the following correspondence has passed: — To the Secretary Flaxmillers' Association, — Dear Sir,—On behalf of the Manawatu Flaxworkers' Union, I am to advise vou, that at the adjourned conference 1 called by the Prime Minister, agreement seemed impossible. The suggestions for settlement made by -the Union seemed to meet with the approval of the, secretary of the Employers' Federation, who was there as 'your agent, and also carried the approval of the Prime Minister and the officers of the Department of Industries and Commerce. We regret that, in the circumstances, agreement was impossible. I have to remind you that the award rates now operate and unless award wages are paid as from Friday, October 12th, 1928, we shall have no option but to claim the balance by the method set out in the Act. Kindly inform your parties and oblige.—Yours faithfully, PERCY T. ROBINSON, Secretary. CUT WAGES WILL REMAIN. To the Secretary, Manawatu Flaxmill Employees' Union,— . Dear Sir, —I am in receipt of yours of yesterday's date and with you regret that at the second Prime Minister's conference on October 11th, at Wellington, we were unable to reach ' an agreement, iii future to base the wages to be paid to employees on the - sliding scale, suggested by yourself or the one suggested by your advocate, iMr Bromley. This being so, the wages to be paid' will continue to be as' per I our agreement arrived at the first i Prime Minister's conference on August 29th, 1928, and subsequently carefully considered and confirmed and signed by both parties to the agreement,Yours faithfully, C. H. SPEIRS, Pres., N.Z.F.A. COURT PROCEEDINGS TO FOLLOW To the N.Z. Flaxmillers' Association, Dear letter of yesterday's date to hand. I am surprised to read in it that you are proposing to defy the law. The Prime Minister, the Conciliation Commissioner, and the head of the Department of Industries and Commerce each informed you that failing agreement award rates would rule forthwith'. However, if you prefer to break the law, don't complain, if you add further costs by way of Court proceedings. Award rates must be paid as from. Friday, October 12. I am enclosing a copy of a letter personally handed to Mr R. 11. Spencer on Monday last.—Yours faithfully, PERCY T. ROBINSON, Secretary.