WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 150, 21 December 1911, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

WATERSIDE WORKERS. CONFERENCE ADJOURNED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. A conference between the .representatives of the shipping companies and the representatives of the Lyttelton, Timaru aiul Weatport waterside workers commenced this morning. Among those present were Mr. Wobb, president of the New Zealand Federation of Labor, and Mr. Semple, organiser of the same body. The sitting was not open to the press. The demands were for increased wages and improved conditions. These were discussed at considerable length. It was found eventually that, owing to the limited time before the holidays, and in view of the fact that several unions whose awards were just about to expire, were not represented, it would be to the advantage* of both sides to postpone the conference till the beginning of the year. The conference consequently adjourned till January 10, when what will amount to a Dominion conference will then be held. In the meantime work will continue without interruption at New Zealand ports, pending the result of the proceedings. The proceedings were characterised by a very cordial tone on both sides, and it is understood there is every prospect of a satisfactory settlement being arrived at the forthcoming conference. AUCKLAND TRAMWAY • DISPUTE. PROPOSALS REJECTED. Auckland. Last Night. According to present indications the prospects of a settlement of the dispute between the Auckland Tramways Company and its employees are by no means bright. At a conference to-day, the company ofl'ered 1 additional concessions, involving the swelling of the wages sheet by over £I2OO, making the total concessions conceded by the company over £IO,OOO, but this offer, like the former one. was not accepted. The company's amended proposals, however, will he placed before the meeting of the union to be held to-morrow, ami, if rejected, it is probable the men will go on strike at midnight on Friday. LUMPERS REFUSE DUTY. NAPIER MEN'S DEMANDS. Napier, Last Night. The Union Company's steamer Wanaka arrived to-day, coal-laden, but the watersido workers refused to accept engagements to work the cargo on the ground that the rates were too low, and no coal was discharged. The Napier Waterside Workers' Union met to-night and decided to demand an increase of threepence an hour for ordinary time (Is !)d instead of Is Od), and eightpence ordinary overtime (2s !>d instead of 2s Id).