WORK AND WAGES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2558, 20 July 1909, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

HAWKE’S BAY DROVERS’ DISPUTE.

[l’kii Panes Association.! NAPIER, July 19. A sitting of the Conciliation Council opened to-day, Mr Hilly presiding, to deal with the drovers’ dispute. One hundred and eighty employers were cited. The demands of th Union inc’.ud a weekly wage of £3 10s, a w'eek’s work to be 54 hours, casual calls 7s 6d the first hour, succeeding hours os; preference to unionists- asked for. The Union does not ask for the inclusion of shepherds in the award. Evidence ng taken in support of the claims. The Conciliation Council to-day heard a dispute filed by the Hawke's Bay Drovers’ and Shepherds’ Industrial Union of Workers. The demands were amended by the omission of shepherds. It was submitted lor the men that the Union was entitled to an award, because drovers’ work was of a casual nature. The rate of pay for drovers in this district was in. some cases lower than in other districts. The Union were agreeable to the appointment of a committee to decide upon the qualifications of applicants for admission to their ranks. They were also prepared to accept a modification of the clause regarding responsibility for the care of stock when being driven. It was contended for the employers that an. award would not be workable, and that the laying down of hard and fast- conditions of employment would not be conducive to the continuance of the amicable relations now existing between drovers and employers. The rate of wages paid to drovers in Hawke’s Bay was the highest in any part- of the Dominion, and there was no present intention on the part of the employers to reduce it. On the conclusion of the hearing, Mr. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, said that the Council would consider the evidence. The Council adjourned till to-morrow.