WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1919, Page 6

WORK AND WAGES.

DRIVERS' DISPUTE.. I Auckland, Feb. 14'.. | The Dominion drivers' dispute was discuaaed before the Conciliation Council to-day.. Employers and unions from all parts, of- the Dominion were represented, it was made clear that the men would, not accept leas than £3 iUs for a -labour week. The commission suggested the dispute be considered on the basis of an. hourly rate of pay. The men suggested la 7d per hour, and the Council i adjourned in order that employers might consider the matter.. THE EMPLOYERS' OFFER. Auckland, Feb. 15. In: the Conciliation Court, Mr Pry or, on behalf of the employers, ollercd the drivers Is 4*d an hour tur a iti-hour week, with is 3d per how for four hours stable time and overtime rates for- all work above these 52 hours. He also made a definite statement that at these rates work would be permanent. The court adjourned to enable the parties to consider the proposal. The drivers after the adjournment stated they could not accept less than is 7d an hour. The Commissioner suggested the employers might agree to X'S (is per week of 48 hours and la 3d an hour overtime. Mr Pryor said this put the employers in a very tight corner, it meant an increase of 13s fid for one-horse men and 18s 3d for two-horse men. There would be an additional expense up to £IOO,OOO a year to the Dominion employers. It would have to be passed on to the public. He questioned the 48hours' proposal, on which discussion is proceeding. Auckland, Last Night. The consideration of the drivers' dispute was continued till a late hour on Saturday. Eventually, Mr Prior said the employers were prepared to offer a. weekly wage,of £3 Us to all classes of drivers for a 48 hour week, and the payment of stable attendance at Is 4Jd per hour for four hours per week for single horse drivers, and eight hours for two horse drivers. If the offer were accepted the single horse drivers would receive £3 lis 6d, and the two horse drivers £3 17s. No payment would be made for holidays. Consideration of the proposals was deferred till to-morrow. STATE MINERS STILL OUT. Wellington, Feb. 15. The State coal miners are still out. The difficulty with reference to the provision of a doctor for the district has passed, but the men are now demanding the reinstatement of some workers dismissed in connection with the trouble recently at Blackball. Work is proceeding normally at Blackball, and it is stated that the miners whose reinstatement is demanded by the State miners have left the district.