WORKERS' DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9052, 24 July 1917, Page 3

WORKERS' DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER.

WELLINGTON, July 23. A deputation representing hotel workers waited on the Prime Minister to-day to protest against the 6 o'clock closing movement. Mr A. Jackson, president of the New Zealand Hotel Workers' Union, said that if early closing were brought into force '36 l-3rd per cent, of the hotel workers would be thrown out of work. Hotels at present were open for 16 hours per day, and the hotel workers' award made provision for 10 hours a day; consequently the ho<;el proprietors had to keep two shifts. The strength of his organisation was 3824, and of this number 100 had gone voluntarily to the f/ont, and expected' to get their positions back again. This would not be possible if hotels were closed at 6 o'clock. If it was a fair thing to close hotels at 6, the same as shops, then it was also a fair thing that hotel workers should have the same privileges and tho same hours as worked by shop assistants. ,

Mr E. Kennedy, secretary of the Wellington .Hotel , Workers' Union, said that the statement that 6 o'clock closing would be- against national 'efficiency was misleading.

Tho Prime Minister said th.-it the matter would be . one for special legislation. The Government had no desire to injure any section of the community, and a Bill dealing with the matter would be brought .-down within the next few weeks.