ARBITRATION COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 136, 8 June 1917, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT.

CHEMISTS' ASSISTANTS. QUESTIONS IN DISPUTE. The Arbitration Court was engaged this morning iv the hearing of the Auckland Chemists Assistants' dispute in respect of clauses still in dispute, including the hours of work, wages for unregistered and registered assistants and [managers, the application of the award so far us it concerns female workers, and the term of the award. Mr F. 11. Mortensed, who appeared for tlie union, state that originally a 4S hours' week i had been demamled, but in view of the fact that (-o many men had gone to the front, the union had conceded a week of f>_ hours straight out --that was, from 8 a.m. to 0 p.m.. Night dispensaries were amply provided for at the present time, and "iv this respect there was no oecusion to make new provisions in the award. The calling back at night of practical men was detrimental both to their health and studies. At present the hours worked averaged from B3J to iO per week, and one manager ariscited that, with night cases, he averaged 70 hours per week. The remuneration paid at present was out of proportion to tbe 'hours worked. With regard to wages.the union asked for a straight-out minimum wage of £4 .">/ per week, in place of the old sliding scale. The high cost of living had to be taken into consideration. Moreover, the assistants bud to serve a four years' apprenticeship, and were required to pay coaching and examination fees amounting, with Ikioks. to from CoO to £":"'. I'Vw succeeded in passing tho examination at the lirst attempt, and ill that case the fees would have to be paid a second time. A wage of £f> »/ per week was asked for registered a--stfi-tants who were fiillv-qualified chemists, and a weekly wage of CO 10/ for mana- ° The l--iiii.ii objected to the introduction of females into chemists' shops unless they took n course of apprenticeship as the men did. If women or girls | were to be employed behind the counter as saleswomen it'would have the effect of preventing male apprentices from learning the salesmanship part of the business, n branch which was very essential in that if they .did not learn it they would have lo lie employed in dispensing medicine all the time, and it would also prevent men from starting business on their own account. It was submitted that there were nlso moral reasons why women should not bo employed behind (lie count cr. They asked that the tend of the award tie for two years. Mr. S. E. Wright, for the employers, said there were many things in the Christchurch award which were acceptable to the Auckland chemists. With regard to the hours, they asked that the hours be those permitted under the Shops and Offices Act, pointing out that where legislation watched this question so closely there seemed little need for an I award. His Honor stated in reference to prescriptions required at night that it .seemed a pity that gome scheme were ! not brought into operation whereby these prescriptions could be made up at one central shop, and thus do away with the necessity of all the shops keeping open at night. Continuing. Mr. Wright stated thnt they were prepared to accept the wages given in Christchurch. They asked that I the managers be not brought under the award, and that they be allowed to continue to employ female labour behind ! the counter. They asked also that the I award be made to" expire the same time as the Christchurch award. The Court reserved its derision.