GENERAL LABOURERS' DEMAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9043, 19 March 1908, Page 5

GENERAL LABOURERS' DEMAND.

ACTION BY LOCAL BODIES

CONCILIATION BOARD CONDEMNED.

A meeting 1 of local body delegates was held in the C-rnnty offices, at Masterton, yesterday, when the claims of the General Labourers' Union were discussed, and action resolved upon in connection with the Conciliation Board proceedings. The following were present:—Messrs J. M. Coradine (Masterton and Carterton Boroughs), T. Moss (Eketahuna County), A. H. Herbert (Eketahuna Borough), F. W. H. Kummer (Mauriceville County), W. J. Welch (Masterton County), M. J. Jackson (Featherston County), Wm. Perry (South Wairarapa County), T. Kocigin (Pahiatua County), and W. A. Burling (Akitio County). Mr Coradine was voted to the chair.

The Mayor outlined the procedure of thi! Conciliation Board and Arbitration Court, in answer to various queries as to the position of the parties if no evidence were tendered at the Conciliation Board. He said that if one party out of the many cited did not appear, and oiler evidence, and others did, the party which did not appear was taken to have agreed to the demands. Personally he thought it little use objecting to the Union's demands. The thing would go on and on, and further demands would be made.

In the course of a general discussion it was remarked that there was no dispute between local bodies and their employees, and it was decided to adopt the resolution of the Rangitikei County Council as follows —That the meeting decide that as there is no dispute between the local bodies and their employees, and further, as no desire has been expressd for a conference, the case should be taken direct to the Arbitration Court; and that arrangements be made to state to the Conciliation Board, at its first sitting, the above decision, and that a copy be forwarded to the Employers' Association.

It was unanimously decided to appoint the Chairman and Mr Welch to represent the local bodies at tli9 conference of the Wairarapa Employers' Association, on Saturday, and also at the proceed ; ngs before the Board and Court, and that they have power to act in the position of an advocate.

Mr Moss then moved the following resolution:—"That this meeting of representatives of . the local bodies met to consider the demands of the general Labourers' Union would urge the Government to abolish the Conciliation Board, as we consider that the Board has riot only not fulfilled the expectation that the promoters desired, but has acted injuriously to trade and the best interests of the colony; and the meeting urges that all cases should go direct to the Arbitration Court."

Mr Hodgin seconded the resolution. Mr Moss said he thought that when there was a dispute it should be made compulsory for a conference of employers and employees, but not before a judicial tribunal, and the decision arrived at should be a recommendation to the Arbitration Court.

The Mayor said the idea embodied in Mr Moss' resolution had been brought before the Government time and again, and the tendency of it was to diminish the area of the industrial districts, which the Government was very strongly against.

Mr Herbert considered it would be very much out of place for the present meeting to move such a resolution, as it had been admitted by several present that they had not bad much experience of the Act. He was not so sure that the Board had been a failure, and though the present industrial strife was costing 1 a little it was inevitable that, such should be the case. The present meeting was not called to object to the Act, but to protest against excessive demands for wages. Mr Moss said it was almost universally agreed that the Board was a failure, other speakers agreeing. The motion was carried on the voices, Mr Herbert dissenting. It was decided to apportion the expenses of the defence of the employers' claims so far. as local bodies were concerned among the local bodies in such a proportion as the two delegates appointed agreed upon. A vote of thanks was accorded the Masterton County Council for calling the meeting.