WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 187, 29 July 1908, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

arbitration court. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunediu, Last Night. The Arbitration Court heard the disputes between employers and the Plasterers and Range Workers' Unions. In the former, the- employers sought an amendment of the existing award as regards suburban and country work, and it was agreed to'accept a clause mat suburban work should mean work done at a distance of over a mile and a-half from the post office. The points left for the Court to decide are, what additional sum shall -be paid on country work, and what overtime shall be paid for country work! ii the Range Workers' dispute the Union sought an increase in wages of Is a day for range-fitters and body-fit-ters. The strong point made by the employers was that an increase would place them, at a disadvantage in competing with northern manufacturers, particularly in Canterbury, where the award rates were lower than in Otago. The Court intimated that it would consider the' matter.

EMPLOYERS INDIGNANT. Last Night. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Master Butchers' Association very great indignation was expressed at what was characterised as the onesided judgment delivered by Dr. McArthur in connection with the recent tramways dispute. The following resolution was unanimously carried: ''That this meeting enters its most emphatic protest against the recommendation of the Special Board of Conciliation in connection with the tramways dispute, and contends thai the precedent thus established Whereby the company must in future give satisfactory reason to every employee for lis discharge is contrary to all known usages, and will undoubtedly be the means of greatly restricting the investment of capital 111 the industries of the Dominion, and, furthermore, that it will have the effect of tending to destroy that peace and harmony between employers and employees which is so eseential to the welfare of every business." It was decided to forward a copy of this resolution to the Premier.

GBEEN ISLAND DISPUTE. ! CONFERENCE ABORTIVE. '' Dunedin, Last Night. the conference between the coalmiseis and employers was continued, at Green Island to-day, and clauses of the men's reference to the Arbitration Court were further considered. An agreement was obtained on all smaller and less important ppints, but on the main points in dispute both sides were obdurate. When at 8 o'clock this evening the conference ended, practically no settlement was arrived at.

A meeting of Green Island miners was then held in camera, and after two hours? deliberation a motion was unan- ! imouely carried that the men approve of nothing being done at the conference, and that the employers' offers be not entertained. This resolution was communicated to the employers by the men's representatives, who stated that the employees would not give way to any single point. They were prepared to take the dispute before the Arbitration Court, and should they not obtain satisfaction there, they were prepared to cease work in a body and leave for some other country or district where they could obtain a living, and not a mere existence. The employers, speaking to the men. regretted that an amicable settlement had not been arrived at by the conference, but hoped the Arbitration Court would yet prove the means of satisfactorily adjusting the matters all and Ell. The employers and employees confer to morrow in the Green Island casp'Application will be made to the (onrt io-ntOrrow for hearing the dispute.