THE FLAXMILLING INDUSTRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 336, 11 March 1910, Page 5

THE FLAXMILLING INDUSTRY

ARBITRATION COURT PROCEIiDIN US. By Telegraph.—Press Associatioa. Palmerston North, Last Night. The Arbitration Court sat at Palmer;ton North to-day in the Manawatu tiax disputes. A quantity of evidence "*n, • taken. Acting for the employers, Mr Pryor said that while the proposals of tne last award of 1007 were the employers' own proposals, yet the conditions of 1007 were so totally different to those of to-day that it meant now that if the present award remained in force the flax industry in the Wellington district would be absolutely mined. Many mills had already closed down, and others were only just hanging on. The position was unfortunate for the workers as well as for the employers).

After consultation, his Honor announced that the Court thought it desirable that the parties should decide on a sliding scale of wa'ges. They recommended that a conference between the parties be held to see if some agreement could not be arrived at on fcnose lilies and meanwhile the Court 'had oe(?ided to postpone the making of an award. Both Mr Pryor arTd Mr DalTioiise (the men's representative) nn"noiineed their willingness to arrange such a conference. The Court then adjourned.