WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1919, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE DRIVERS' DISPUTE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Feb. 17. In the drivers' dispute the employers offered a flat rate of £3 8s per week without pay for holidays. The union, after consideration, suggested £3 7s 8d for a single horse and £3 10s for two hoists and also pay for holidays. The parties adjourned to consider the matter. THE AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS. Auckland, Feb. 17. As a result of a conference between the Mayor and the parties to the tramway dispute, the cars resumed normal running to-day. The company has conceded the men's demands on the main points, the increased rates to operate as soon as the City Council is in a legal position to complete the proposed agreement with the company that will enable the company to increase the tram fares. The agreement is subject to confirmation by the City Council and by the Tramway Union. A special meeting of the council will take place to-day. THE COAL TRADE. Wellington, Last Night.,.The National Disputes' Committee in the coal trade met to consider tue Blackball trouble, and both parties stated subsequently that they had nothing xvi to report. THE TUTANEKAi. Wellington, Last Night The Acting Prime Slinister announced last .veiling that the Governmet had been compelled by the demands of the seamen to abandon the proposal to use the Government steamer Tutanekai for mine-sweeping. This decision had been reached after prolonged negotiations. THE RAILWAY SERVICE. Wellington, Last Night. The delegates of the Railway Officers' Institute conferred this afternoon with the Slinister for Railways on the quesof salary and other matters. The Slinister will meet representatives of the Amalgamated Sociey of Railway Servants on Thursday. SOFT GOODS DISPUTE. Auckland, Last Night. The Arbitration Court gave decision in the soft goods employees' dispute to-day. The only question of importance was the hours and preference. The Court said the hours were governed by the Shops and Offices Act, and it did not see its way to interfere with those hours in respect to one particular class of shop. No preference was granted. Rep-prding female employees the Court decided that any female in the dress, Sianehester, drapery, furnishing, men's and juvenile clothing, mercery, piece silks, velveteens, carpets, linoleums, bedding, cotton dress goods, prints, etc., departments shall be paid one and a half more than the wages specified for females in the scaleDRIVERS' DISPUTES. Auckland, Feb. 17. A settlement was reached on the wages question in the Dominion Drivers' dispute by the Conciliation Coucil in committee this evening. The wages agreed upon are: £3 Cs for one horse and £3 8s Cd for two horse drivers, with stable time of four and eight hours respectively at Is 4'/jd per hour. Employers will pay for nine holidays specified in the old award. No deduction will be made in wages save for time lost through the workers' own default or sickness. The machinery clauses will be considered to-morrow.