LABOR’S DEMANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3451, 16 February 1912, Page 5

LABOR’S DEMANDS.

WHARF LABORERS AND CEMENT , 'BAGS.'.''

i. . . AN EXPLANATION

[JM?H CHESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Feb 15. / Regarding the refusal of the wharf laborers at Wellington on Tuesday to unload from the Monowar cement which was not placed, in paper-lined bags, Mr M. F. Murray, manager of the Textile Bag" and Sack '•Coy., lifcd., states that a * resolution l was arrived at by tlie Waterside Workers’ Conference on September 1 1911, laborers would’ decline to'unload lime and content after January 1st | 1912, unless it was packed ill paper-lined bags. Consequently his company had only four months in which to manufacture the bags. In October last the cement manufacturers of the Dominion were informed by his company that it would be impossible to supply the bags until the middle of February, 1912, and the Waterside Workers’ Federation agreed to suspend their refusal to handle cement unless in paper-lined bags until that date. The first shipment of the bags reached Auckland on February 10. The company and the cement companies in the meantime have used all possible expedition to meet the requirements of waterside workers. Previously these cement bags were made in Calcutta by coolie labor, but they were now being made at the company’s works at Dunedin. The company’s principal works wore in Christchurch, but in respect to these cement and lime bags they found that owing to the freight charged on the Lyttelton-Christchurch line they could not produce them here profitably, and consequently they were being made in Dunedin, The company having erected special machinery for the purpose. It is probably only a question of time when all chemical manures will have to be used .in similar bags to those used for cement and lime.

PASTRYCOOKS’ AND BAKERS’ TROUBLES. WELLINGTON, Feb. 15. After a lengthy deliberation and full discussion yesterday between representatives of the master bakers and employees, bakers and pastrycooks, no agreement was come to. The men ask •for £3 5s and £3 10s per week (according to the position occupied), and a general 48-hour week. The four chief centres, Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch, were concerned, and sent representatives from both employers and employees to confer upon the wages, hours, and other questions, Mr W. A. Kellow being president. The men’s demands will now probably go before the Conciliation Commissioner. WELLINGTON MEAT WORKERS’ STRIKE. WELLINGTON, Feb. 15. The meat works strikers have made no appeal for outside union assistance in the way of ceasing work. All unions, however, are being appealed to for financial assistance. It is understood most efforts will be in the direction of localising the strike. If any moral support is sought, the unions directly connected with the trade will be appealed to in the first instance.

WATERSIDE WORKERS’ DISPUTE A DEADLOCK. AUCKLAND, Feb. 15. There was more than ordinary interest in the proceedings, of the Conciliation Court this morning, when the waterside workers’ dispute came on. The union had taken a ballot, .and decided on cancellation of registration under the Arbitration Act, but before this could take effect a number of shipping companies filed a dispute. The union declined to appoint assessors, and the Conciliation Commissioner appointed three of their members in that capacity.' Mr Courtayne, one of the union’s assessors, who was present, said they were in a unique position. They were called scabs and traitors by other members of the union, but they had to obey the law. He handed in a resolution passed by the union, and threatening to call upon any. of them signing an agreement to resign their membership. Mr Giles, Commissioner, said they had done only what they had been legally called upon to do. He was very pleased they had done so. The representative of one of the companies asked would the union assessors say they were prepared to discuss the dispute in a fair and impartial manner? The assessors, after consultation, replied that they were in favor of amiccably discussing matters, though their position was a very undesirable one. “Personally,” said Mr Courtayne, “I will do my utmost in the interests of the union.” The New Zealand Shipping Company applied for exemption, on the ground that it only employed contract labor; and the Union Company and Huddart(garker Company, on the ground that thev were parties to an agreement entered into after the dispute had been filed. The Commissioner announced that the Court had adjourned sine die. In the meantime the Commission went into committee to discuss the terms of the award. BRITISH COLLIERY DISPUTE. PROSPECTS OF AN INTERNATIONAL STRIKE. (Received Feb. 15, 2.45 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 14. The coal-owners and miners are at a deadlock. The .miners are arranging to ask the German workers to defeat the German attempt to export coal to Britain in the event of a strike, and if that plan is ineffectual then the British will urge the Belgian and French miners to cease work.