FREEZING STRIKE SETTLED

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 341, 23 January 1937, Page 6

FREEZING STRIKE SETTLED

HOURLY BONUS. —>* ; * ,a w MINISTER’S PART. Bonus Of Threepence An Hour To Workers.

Press Association —Copyright. Wellington, Last Night

:A settlement in the freezing workers’ dispute was effected to-day by a special conference held in Parliament House to discuss the conditions arising from the recent “stay-in” strike at Auckland. District representatives of all New Zealand employers and workers at the direction of the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, agreed that as from the first of this month a bonus of threepence an hour shall be paid to ail workers employed on an hourly basis, such bonus to be paid for all time actually worked. An overtime bonus rate has also been fixed at threepence an hour. In a statement issued subsequently to the conference, the Minister reviewed the history of the dispute and his part in arranging the conference.

“The result was,” said Mr. Armstrong, “that the men resumed work as requested and the conference commenced at Parliament Buildings yesterday morning. Both sides were fully represented. The workers put forward a number of matters that were in dispute, but after discussion reduced! them to two, the issues of a 40-hour week and an increase in the hourly and piecework rates. Employers’ Contention. “The representatives of the employers contended that the matters had been submittd to the Court of Arbitration, which after hearing tile evidence had given its award, and that it would be wrong in principle and that they did not feel justified in agreeing to concede any higher rates during the currency of that award. I pointed out that the award fixed only the irreducible minimum rates that could be paid in each department and did not prevent employers from increasing such rates if they saw fit to do so, nor did it prevent representatives of the unions from making representations to the employers to have those rates increased. “I also pointed out that the legislation for which I was responsible during the last session of Parliament was the subject of representations by various sections ot the employers after it had become law. When 1 was convinced they were justified in the representations made I immediately had those Acts amended accordingly, and if it is right for the employers To make represents,\on to me after Acts of Parliament have been passed to have unjust provisions removed or amended, surely the workers are equally entitled to approach the employers for an alteration! in certain provisions of, un award. That can be done and has been done in the past without in any way reflecting upon the authority of "the Arbitration Court. Minister’s Direction. “The employers were unable to agree in this case to any increase in either the piecework or the hourly rates, nor were’ they prepared to entertain a proposal for a reduction in the hours of work. Eventually I deemed it my duty as Minister of Labour to give some direction in the interests of industrial peace and in justice to certain sections ot the workers, without being unreasonable with the employers. My direction was that the workers on their part should hold in abeyance till the expiry of the award in June next their claims for a shorter working week and for increased piecework rates and that the emloyers on their part should grant increased remuneration to hourly workers, particularly the lower paid hourly workers. “Although at times the conference appeared to have reached a deadlock the proceedings throughout were friendly, and 1 very highly appreciate the attitude of both parties towards Mr. Lee Martin and myself as the Government representatives. The conference concluded with a vote of thanks from both sides to my colleague and myself.”

INSCRIPTION IN MORSE. A novel form of inscribing a presentation set of bowls, the gift of his fellow-officers, has been l , chosen by Mr. D. McCready, recently Postmaster at Stratford, and now retired from the service. In the Morse code, which he larned over '4O years ag6, his name and other particulars will be inscribed on the bowls.