CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 7, 27 May 1914, Page 7

CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

- TIMBER WORKBKK' DISPUTE. I A sitting of the Conciliation Council, presided over by Mr T. llarle Giles, com-J Biisjsioner, to consider an application' far an indiutirial award made by the New Plymouth Timber Yard- and"-Saw-mill Krauployees' Industrial Union m Workers, took place in New Plymouth jToslterday, Parties were cited at New j Plymouth, Inglcwowl, Eltham, Stratj ford, Haiwona, Manilia, Warca, Opunake, Te Kiri, Toko, fcjtrcut-hmore, Poliokura, Mid'bny.t and Tariki. The assessors for the applicants were Messrs F. J. Lyons, New Plymouth, 0. t Parrot, New Plymouth, and E. PhelaM oocretary of 'the North Auckland Timber Workers' Union; and for the emi- ! ployera, Mess-M James Austin (Sash and j Door Co.), Walter Syimc (Hawera), Charles Aliier and Arthur Morton. In opening the Council, Mr Harle- . GUea remarked that Uie dispute .between ' ifAem WR9 a mew one. It was the first j time in Win history of it-he industry in I Tfti'ftiiaki that in avwrdi had been applied for. Tho latest award before tiheni < was thail obtained hy the North Auck < laud Union, and wtis in every respect an adyaiioed award giving improved con- j I ditioiM. It might be found that some I ■of its condition*" would' not apply to the Taranaki imhi>'lry, and from his j I observations of some of tire mills in th> , I district he could see tihat the cireuni-1 • stances' there were different from those in t'he larger mills. They wore met for ' tho purpose of coming to a satisfactory | scttleriKnl, and Uiie measure of their i siicows would depend upon the attitude | of both parties. He wa-i sure that lib-; Council would not differ from otliers li" i I bad presided oxer iu point of reasoni able con.-idc-ri'iion by one party for the [ ! other. Jin biigwivitwl that ihhc Council) ! should so into committee to consider I j the detail* of the award, but urged 'that J i the decisions arrived at uli«n should be I adhorod to when they resumed in open .' Council. Mr Phclan suggested that the discusI siou sli-i'iild be without prejudice. It j had been found op form-fir occasion l that concessions were made in comI mibtev. by t.he employees on the coiuli I ! lion tJiiii coucmwhoiis were made from the 'Other sid« at a later stage, and | they waat-cil to be free to wi ID id raw if' ! tbc°f, were not given. | | Mr. Aliier advocated a free di-eii-sin;> i in open Council. , I I I,S THIC UNION GENUINE? / Mr Austin: At the outset I want i. j ' know whetlier this is a bogus union orI not. We lia-ve received no information.; although we have applied to the >:\-ro-\ ■tary of the Uni-iii. We have rea-on to believe l-liat iit is not a genuine Union | since it has not Die rorpiisiie. lil'teco membw'H. I Mr Uvor.s: It is uniie in order, and I have the cerliliea.tc or registration here. Y.,1. ,-!io-ul,l have applied to the U'.hor Department if >'oii wanted jnlormation. . . ( M-r Austin: We hive .sir-picions. winch i it is up to you to *.lla.y. < The ('"iiiiuissiouer pointed out that as the clerk of awards had acrepled (he dispute, il niu-U be heard. He asked Mr Austin to waive his objection, unless lie wanted the matter -nt on to the Arbitration Court. Air Au-liu: I i.iidev.-Und th" posi'.- ;,,„ i,„i | Hio'.iL'-hl ihe nen would in ■ ! been piep.ircd with (he information. Air Vhelan: What do you want! M't Ami in: I. want the names of the men who belouy to your Union.

Mr- Ph*ian: You have no right to that. It is private information. I have hear J i':ie rumour. On inquiry, I found that die Union possesses nearly! three times the necessary number of ] members. Mr Austin: I want to prevent negotiations wiih any but genuine timberworkers. There is mo information. The Ooiiiinissioner pointed out that, the Registrar of Unions took the responsibilih of bona fides when he issued his certificate of registration. Mr Ahier said he could not see why the names should- not ibe disclosed, but would not let the refusal stand in the way of a settlement. There was no doubt that the Union was registered. On the auggestion of Mr Morton it was decided to accept the assurance of the representatives of the Union that the men concerned were all genuine timber workers, and the negotiation*; proceeded. The Council sat all dloy and very good progress was mode, there being every pro-fpect of an amicable settlement, and a satisfactory award. The Council will resume to-day, wlhen it is expected that an award will be got out.