BAKERS' DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 264, 7 November 1932, Page 3

BAKERS' DISPUTE.

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING DIFFICULTY OF HOURS AND WAGES. "We cannot agree to the hours proposed, 10 hours on certain days, and 48 hours a week, or to the wages proposals," said Mi - . E. J. Watson, speaking for the employees at the hearing .of the dispute this morning between the employers and the employees in the bakery trade. On two occasions the parties have been in Wellington to discuss a Dominion award and have failed, and the discussion this morning wae an effort to reach a local agreement. "

The employers were represented by Messrs. J. McGregor, G. K. Mathicson, C. Cowan, and R. H. Montgomery. Mr. J. Wilson, secretary of the Auckland Master Bakere' Association, was also on that side of the table. The employees' assessors were Messrs. K J. Watson, A. McCarthy, W. Howie and F. H. Burke.

Speaking about the 10-hour day proposal, Mr. Wateon eaid he had. suggested the eight-hour day 40 year's ago. Last year was. the first chance he- had had to put it before Mr. Justice Frazer. His Honor had agreed with him. The proposals as set down at thie morning'e meeting were that a man should work 10 hours one day and six another. "I do not see why a man should have to work 10 hours for a day's wages," lie added.

Mr. Montgomery explained that the 10 hours wae for a long day like a Saturday.

Another objection Mr. Watson expTessed concerned the introduction of "all sorts of boys into the trade." They learned something of the trade, but something only and ' became bad workmen. The Apprenticeship Act was a good Act, because it bound a lad for a certain time—five years in their caee— and in that time he learned the business thoroughly. The objections of the labourers in the trade were cited by Mr. Burke. Under the 48 hours proposal they would earn £3 5/. By the time overhead expenseshad been met, there was only about 25/ to hand over to their wives. "We have to live in a place handy to our work and that means higher rente. Our expenses are really higher than those of a baker. I do not think that we can carry on under theee new proposals. We just manage to keep our heads above water as it is."

After further discuseion, the meeting was adjourned.