Tuesday, February 9.

The Board of Conciliation again met on Friday afternoon for the purpose of, if possible, effecting a settlement of the seamen's dispute. Negotiations had been progressing under the auspices of the board since the matter was heard on the previous Thursday, and several adjournments had taken place after conferences with a view to settlement had been held between the parties to the dispute and the board. All the members of the board were again present—namely, Messrs Sim (president), G. L. Sise, G P. Farquhar, J. A. Millar, M H.R., and R. Ferguson.

Mr James Mills (managing director of the Union Company), Mr Keith Ramsay (a shipowner), Mr Belcher (the secretary of the Seamen's Union), and Mr G. A. King (clerk of awards) were also present.

After another series of consultations with the parties and amongst the members of the board, at 4 p.m. it transpired that a recommendation had been unanimously agreed upon, and that it would probably be accepted by all concerned.

I may say that Mr Mills, the representative of the Union Company, has agreed to these terms, and Mr Belcher approves of these terms, but before definitely agreeing to them he has to obtain the authority of his executive.

Mr Belcher: Pardon me. I do not say I approve of them.

Mr Sim: I understood you to say you world recommend them.

Mr Belcher: That is a different thing altogether.

Mr Sim: Well, then, Mr Belcher will recommend that these terms be accepted by his executive. The board have recommended the parties to embody these terms in an industrial agreement to remain in force for a period of two years. Then with respect to the dispute between the Seamen's Union and Mr Ramsay, the recommendation already made in connection with the other dispute covers this dispute, and Mr Ramsay agrees to accept the terms already suggested with regard to the other dispute.

Mr Ramsay: That is so far as they apply to me.

Mr Sim: Yes, so far as they apply to Mr Ramsay. That will end the matter so far as the Conciliation Board is concerned.

Mr James Mills: Shall I be at liberty to make a few remarks?

Mr Sim: I suppose the members won't object

Mr Mills: I merely wish to say how I recognise the anxious care the chairman and members of the board have given to this matter and their great desire to bring it to a fair and just conclusion. It was largely in deference to their wish, and indeed pressure, with also other consideration?, that on behalf of the company I have agreed to this concession in wages, and perhaps also from a desire to merit from Mr Belcher the character for "sweet reasonableness," which he has denied us hitherto. I may say—indeed, I cannot help saying—that I still think the present rate of wages is ample under existing circumstances, but the company have to recognise that since the appeal was made to them by the deputation from their men some three months ago, when they declined at that time to make any concession, the supply of this class of labour has not been so plentiful, and they also recognise that the effect of recent legislation, which provides for a certain number of men being carried on a ship and that every man shall have a certain qualification, be he seaman or fireman, somewhat limits the number of men available for their purpose and consequently attaches some additional value to their services. Having these things in view, the company thought that the circumstances justified them in making some concession in the present instance. As regards the employment of men not members of the union, we are glad that you have seen your way to award that there should be freedom of employment as hitherto. We have a large number of non-union men in the company's employ—good, deserving men,—and it is only fair and just to them, and to others like page 19 item, that this liberty should be allowed. As regards the benefit society, I may explain that we have conceded to a great extent the demand. We have practically conceded the demand, for we have agreed that membership of the society shall be optional after the 30th of September. During the interim I feel confident we shall be able to reorganise the society on such a basis that the members will still very largely take advantage of it, and the company will continue to foster it as they have hitherto done. I may say that the immediate necessity which appeared to exist for the formation of the benefit society five years ago does not now exist. The object then was to keep the men in touch with the company, and endeavour to create a mutual interest so that if strained relations arose at any other time they might probably consider the company's interest as much as their own. However, recent legislation has to a great extent done away with the necessity for that, as is evidenced by our appearance here. When differences arise the State has provided a board before which we can appear and discuss matters, and probably, in most cases, come to an amicable settlement. There is no doubt that this concession in wages, together with the concession recently made to the engineers, and possibly other similar concessions which will probably necessarily follow in the wake of these will involve a large extra expenditure on the part of the company. This concession and the concession to the engineers between them will amount to £7000, and the others will probably bring it up to £10,000. I think we are justified in saying this is a sum which we cannot very well afford out of the present earnings of the company. It will have to be made up to us in some way by an increase of fares and freights where it appears that can be done without injury to the trade so that we may recoup ourselves as far as possible. I am obliged to you for allowing me to make these few remarks Mr Chairman, and I thank you and the members of the board for your kindness in this matter.

Mr K. Ramsay said: Mr Chairman, I have only to thank the board of Conciliation for the my great attention they have given to the dispute between the Seamen's Union and myself, and also for their desire to bring about an agreement between the union and the shipping interests in this place. While not admitting that an increase in wages is justifiable under the present circumstances, I felt it my duty to join with Mr Mills in agreeing to the increase that has been given. As I mentioned before there are some special circumstances in my case which render it somewhat difficult to me to be over-generous in the matter of the payment of the men in my employment I refer, to the strong competition—the unfair competition—on the part of the Railway department. At the same time I have to say that I have great pleasure in falling in with Mr Mills's agreement so far as its provisions affect myself. With regard to the Seamen's Union, of course I have all along felt it ray duty to encourage that union up to a certain point, and I have generally given the preference to those who are members of the union. I shall continue to do so; of course reserving to myself the same right that Mr Mills reserves—the right to employ others. On the whole, the relations between the union and myself are friendly; indeed, I recognise that combinations should exist both of employers and employees, and holding that belief I feel it to be my duty to act as I have done I have to again thank the board for its kindness.

Mr Belcher said: I only wish to thank the board most sincerely for their very honest efforts to effect a settlement and for the large amount of patience they have shown in listening to the various stories told them by both sides. We have had your ears on several occasions in private, and I must say you have tendered the best advice you possibly could, I think, under the circumstances. So far as the concessions themselves are concerned, there are seven items asked for, and all we have got out of it is a very small piece of one and part of another, with a very big reservation in connection with the matter. Looking at it from my point of view, well, the concession is almost infinitesimal I can only say I will endeavour to do my utmost to influence the men I represent to accept those terms. I cannot say definitely whether they will do so or not. I cannot pledge them in any shape or form; all I can say is that I will use every effort I have at my command to try and induce the men to accept these terms. Of course it is obvious—indeed it has been referred to both by Mr Mills and Mr Hamsay—seeing the legislation we have in existence at the present time, the recognition of the union, or anything that might be done in that connection is to a large extent compulsory by statute law. However, I am pleased to have been here, and I sincerely trust if we can manage to effect this agreement and get it drawn up in proper form, in the future we will get along together a great deal better than we have been doing during the last five years. I think Mr Mills himself will admit that in a large employ like theirs, where so many men and so many interests are involved, notwithstanding every effort that is made by employers to control the employed, disputes will arise; and I say when a dispute arises there must be some good ground for it. I sincerely trust the Union Company will relax a little of their antipathy to the union and lend a reasonable ear to anything brought before them. I do not suppose they will be troubled with trivialties. There will have to be some good cause of complaint before they will be page 20 troubled again. I have only again to thank the board for what they have done in connection with the matter.

Mr Sim said: The members of the board thank Mr Milk, Mr Ramsay, and Mr Belcher for what they have said of the efforts and labours of the board. The fact that the board has been able unanimously to make a recommendation which has been practically accepted by the parties to the disputes is of itself & sufficient reward for their labours. If the future operations of the Conciliation Board prove as successful as they have been on this occasion we shall have no reason to regret our appointment to the position.

The proceedings then closed.