INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 82, 29 November 1912, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

LABOUR ORG AN IS ATTONS

(Per Press Association.) Christchurch, November 28. The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Labourers’ Union has ap pointed an organiser at £6 per week.

THE DRIVERS’ UNION

Christchurch, November 28

The Hon. Prime Minister, as Minister of Labour, has written to Mi Hiram Hunter, secretary of the New Zealand' Federation of Drivers’ Unions, in reply to Mr Hunter’s lettei protesting against the wages awarded to drivers by the Court of Arbitration in a recent award. The Minister writes: “I understand that the desire of your Federation is that the Court of Arbitration .has awarded only £2 8s per week for one horse drivers, a minimum wage of Is per hour should be fixed by legislation. It should, oi course, bo understood that the rates fixed by the Court in awards an merely the minimuin rates of employment, and any employee is at liberty to stipulate with his employer that be be paid a higher wage. I understand, however, that the rate awarded in the award you refer to, namely. £2 8s for one-liorse drivers, is 4s .pei week more than that fixed in the previous Canterbury award, dated Decern her 18th, 1908. Your suggest'd' opens up a difficult question, inasmucl as to carry the same into effect would necessitate interference with the discretion of the Court of Arbitration, which is a tribunal specially set up to deal with industrial matters. The suggestion will, however, be carefully considered during the present recess, when the Industrial Conciliation Act is being reviewed generally.”

NO SHEARERS’ STRIKE

DanneVirke, November 28

Alex. McLeod, the Shearers’ Union organiser, writes to the Evening News denying the rumour that a general strike of shearers will take place this season. At no time had the suggestion been made by the executive of the Association or the rank and fde. Shearers, he points out, are under tin Arbitration Act, and the present award remains in force till September 21 1913, and a proved on. therein provides, that the Union shall do all in its power to prevent strikes. (Received 10.5 a.m.) Sydney, November 29. The Australian Miners’ Association at Broken Hill continue to support the Waihi strikers and condemned the Government for trying to force tjac men to work.