WORK AND WAGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 299, 14 June 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

THE REEFTON STRIKE. PROPOSED MEDIATION. By Telegraph—Press Association. . Reefton, Last Night. The Hon. Mr. Colvin has intimated his intention on arriving in Reefton tonight of offering to mediate in the dispute. Unfortunately, Mr. Winter Evans, manager of the company, and president of the Miners' Union has just left for a conference at Waihi, and not much hope is entertained here of success. It is considered that the Reefton dispute should be considered on its own basis. The secretary of the Miners' Union here has agreed to lay the case before the Minister. A meeting of the Miners' Union is to be held to-night. The business is stated to be important. The men are utterly disgusted with the long delay, and many are very tired of road and railway construction work, as the weather has been terrible. Though the train is late tonight a good reception will be given to Mr. Colvin, whose action in coming here is much appreciated. The secretary of the Miners' Union, however, states that the miners will not grant any concessions whatever, hut will submit their case to the Minister.

THE PAPAROA STRIKE. Auckland, Last Night. A sequel to the strike on the Paparoa was the appearance in the Magistrate's Court to-day of fifteen waterside workers charged with being parties to the strike. In several instances the. informations were dismissed. One man was fined £5 and four others were fined £1 each.

KIKTJRANGI COAL MINE. Whangarei, Thursday. Colonel Colgate, managing director of the Northern Ooal Company, states- that the directors will confer with the men to-morrow respecting the dispute at the Hikurangi mine. He could not understand the men striking on a flimsy pretext with regard to weighing. FURNITURE TRADE SETTLEMENT. Dunedin, Thursday. A sitting of the Conciliation Council was held on Wednesday, to consider the furniture trade dispute. Mr. J. R. Triggs (Commissioner) presided, and the assessors were Messrs. Nees, Hay ward, and Riddell for the employers, and Mesrs. Moriarty (Wellington), Rnston, and Pattieson for the employees. The following agreement was arrived at, and will apply to Otago and Southland:— Forty-four hours shall constitute a week's work. Wages for journeymen cabinetmaker*, upholsterers, chair and frame makers, machinists, wood carvers, turners, picture framers, and polishers shall be Is 4%d per hour. After an apprentice completes his term he may he employed as an improver for six months at Is iy 3 d per hour, and for a further six months at Is 3d per hour. Two hours' notice shall be given on either side before dismissal or leaving employment. Overtime: Rate and a quarter for the first two hours, and time and a half thereafter until 10 p.m. Apprentices' wage* shall be: 8s for the first year; 12s for the second; 10s for the third; 21s for the fourth, and 28s fid for the fifth. The proportion of apprentices to journeymen is not to exceed one to two. The period of apprenticeship is to be five years. The usual preference and underrate clauses are provided. The award eomes into force on July 1, and remains in force till June 20, 3014.