INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 38, 9 February 1912, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

“IN THE NAME OF* THE KING.” (Received 9, 10.55 a.m.) Sydney, February 9. MacLarou denies that :ae volunteered i'or special police services in Brisbane. He with other athletes was called upon in the name of the King, but not sworn in. WELLINGTON K!EAT WORKERS. Wellington, February 9. I'he Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.0., who presided over yesterday’s conference by agreement of both parties, has made an official statement of the points in dispute. The men affected, he says, are not slaughtermen but men engaged in other branches and side lines of the freezing industry. The conditions of the trade arc such that certain sections of employees must be at work in the morning to prepare material for other branches to deal with. Each branch depends on the other with slight modifications. There was to a large extent an agreement on the question of wages. Yes-r terday the crucial point in dispute was as to at what hour of the twentyfour overtime should start. The companies are prepared to pay overtime rates for work done after eight hours but the eight hours itself has to begin, at any period within the 24 suitable for the character of the work in which the respective sections of employees are engaged. These employees represent unskilled labour and the others skilled labour. A, separate union has just been formed and a vise of wages was given by the employers about a fortnight ago, voluntarily, prior to their being served with notice. The men want the day’s work of eight hours to he comprised within the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., all other time to count, as overtime. The employers want the eight hours of ordinary time to start from the time when the men actually start work. The claim for overtime by the men was at time and a half rates, hut it was eventually agreed that they uould accept time and a quarter all round. The companies were prepared to make certain concessions to those who were working broken time, but negotiations broke down on the crucial point as to when overtime should start.