WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 186, 28 July 1908, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

WHARF LABORERS' DISPUTE. ! By Telegraph.—Press Association. Duiieiliu, Monday. At the Arbitration Court, Mr. Kirby, of Die Wharf Laborers' Union, announced that the Union Company withdrew its reference in the wtori laborers' dispute on the question 01 preference to unionists. In asking tor an adjournment so as to give the Union an opportunity to obtain cancellation of its registration, he said he hoped the j matter would be settled before the next silling of the Court here.

LdIJiEN ISLAND DISPUTE. ' A STRIKE POSSIBLE. Duuedin, Last Night. Representatives of the Given Island Coal Miners' Union and the colliery owners (joiiiiuoueed a conference this afternoon. Mr. P. Daily (of the Labor Department) presided. The principal demands 01 the men are the living of the tonnage rates, shift wages, improvement of conditions, conlirming the weighing of coal, wet and deficient places. It was decided to take the reference liled by the Union with the Arbitration Court, and consider, the clauses serin turn. With the ex-' ccption of one or two clauses it appeared likely that a settlement would be arrived al, but the present Indications do not point to an amicable settlement on the whole reference, jhe principal

1 point in dispute relates to piece rates. The miners demand an increasee of 4d per ton in hewing rates on all classes of coal, but the owners declare tney will not give more than an increase of M per ton. On three occasions a deadlock was reached. Both sides refused 'o give way in any particular, but after sonic lengthy discussion, it was agreed to proceed as if the owners hud agreed to give the increase of 4d. This was done so that owners might see wnat concessions the men were prepared to make in their demands, provided employers would give way on the Union point. It was agreed "that should the conference prove abortive this arrangement would not be prejudicial to either side. Five clauses were subsequently considered:—(l) The number of boxes ; of round coal to be filled per day by I each miner. This was left in abeyance, i (2) The width of cords. No decision! i was arrived at in this case, the matter - being referred to the Union, which - meets to-moro.w night. [i) Pillars. 1 This matter was. the same as in the ~ old award. (4) 'Weighing coal. This - was left in abeyance. (5) Narrow v places. Practically the same as in the ;1 old award. Tne conference sat for eight [- hours, and will be resumed at 1.30. So .1 firr as can bo gathered, neither side anIticipatcs an amicable settlement, in which event a strike will probably result.