MILKMEN'S HOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 282, 27 November 1940, Page 8

MILKMEN'S HOURS.

NO DECISION.

REPORT TO MINISTER.

Unable to reach a solution of the problem of milk delivery hours in Auckland, the milk conference, which commenced its sittings yesterday, concluded to-day, when the chairman, Mr. C. L. Hunter, liaison officer for the Department of Labour, representing the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, stated that he would submit a report on the position to the Minister. The conference was attended by three representatives of the larger vendors, two members representing th© nonemploying milk vendors, and three members of the Milk Roundsmen a Union, including Mr. J. Purtell, secretary. During this morning's sitting a suggestion was made by the union, and supported by the small vendors, that a joint statement be prepared by all parties concerned, asking all consumers in Auckland to co-operate in a front gate delivery, in order to assist in shortening the time required to complete the rounds. The larger vendors, however, considered the time was inopportune for the suggested move. Mr. Hunter said after the conference that as the union was governed by the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act, which fixed the starting time at 3 a.m., conditions would have to continue unchanged in the meantime. Under a regulation of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council, roundsmen were required to complete their deliveries by 8.30 a.m., but there were ovher duties which they had to carry out as part of their day's work. Generally the weekly total of hours approached close to the award limit of 40.