WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 115, 1 October 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE REEFTON STRIKE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The matter of the appointment of an arbitrator to deal with the Reef ton dispute came before Mr. Justice Sim in the Supreme Court to-day. The question was before the Court on Friday, and was then adjourned in order that- a conference might be held to ascertain if the union would abide by the decision of an arbitrator if he were appointed. Mr. P. J. O'Regan. appeared for the Inangahua Miners' Industrial Union, and Mr. W. Pryor for the company. Mr. Pryor said that a conference had been held between Messrs. O'Regan, Dowgray, Fagan and himself, but they had not been able to arrive at an agreement. On behalf of the company, he desired to say that they were prepared to submit the matter to real arbitration, where both patties were bound to submit to the decision of the arbitrator. Mr. O'Regan had informed him that morning that the union was not prepared to agree to the appointment of an arbitrator or to pay half the expenses; neither would it agree to abide by his decision. Under these circumstances they left it to His Honor to say whether it was fair that an arbitrator should be appointed. He was prepared to submit the names of two or three desirable persons. His Honor: It is your application, and I cannot appoint an arbitrator unless you are prepared to submit nftmes. . Mr. O'Regan said that the Union would not object to the matter being adjourned. The present application was made on the suggestion of the companies themselves, under section 11 of the Agreement. His Honor had jurisdiction to appoint an arbitrator only if the parties could not agree. The Union did not consider that it was a matter for arbitration, and could not honestly say that it would abide by any decision if an arbitrator were appointed. Mr. Pryor asked for an adjournment till after the Warden next sits at Rtefton.

The matter was adjourned till Novem ber 1.

DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER.

Wellington, Last Night.

Representatives of the Engine-drivers, Firemen and Greasers' Unions, accompanied by Messrs. E. Carver, Bradney and Coats, waited on the Prime Minister to-day, and asked him to provide that persons employed in the above capacities in timber mills, soap manufactories, flour mills, and such like factories, should not be compelled to work under an award relating to that particular industry, but that they should be able, in each case, to form a' union of their own, the ultimate objective being a Dominion award relating to the industry. Mr. Massey said that he would consult the Crown Law Officers with a view to drafting a Bill to meet the wishes of the deputation.