EMPLOYEES IN PRIVATE HOTELS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15309, 19 June 1915, Page 12

EMPLOYEES IN PRIVATE HOTELS.

ARBITRATION COURT AWARD

(PRESS a-SOCIAaiON' TEtaEGTIA-.) WELLINGTON, Juno 18

The conditions of labour of employees iv Wellington district private, hotels, clubs, and restaurants, are set forth in an award filed by tho Arbitration Court with tho Clerk of Awards. In a memorandum attached to tho award tho Courfc states that tho primcipal questions submitted were (a) as to tho establishments to be brought under tho award as "private hotols" ; (b) as to the minimum rato of wages; and (c) as to holidays. Tho memorandum adda that tho so-called privato hotels are really public boardinghouses, and carry on business in much the .amo way as ordinary hotels, differing from them only in that they are not licensed for tho sale of alcoholic liquors. The Court is of opinion, therefore, that as to their general management and the conditions of workers, they should bo placed on the same footing as hotels. Referring to wages, the memorandum states that the Court lias fixed theso at tho samo rates, as thoso already, provided for workers in similar capacities under the award dealing -with licensed hotels. Regarding holidays, tho Court mentioned that it was clearly intended by tho Legislature that private hotels should be brought under the provisions of tho Shops and Offices Act, 1908, and its Amendments, but owing to a defective definition in tho Shops and Cinccs a_ct, 1910, this intention hns been to a largo extent defeated. Tho Court therefore remedied tho defect as far as the establishments hound by the award aro concerned, by incorporating tho provisions of these Acts in the award, and applying them to such establishments. The Court has thus availed itself of the provisions of Section 8 of the Shops and Offices Amendment a.ct. 1913, and granted all workers covered by tho award ono whole day's hoHcfay in each week, in lieu of tho half-holiday or whole holiday provided by tho Act, thus placing the workers on tho same footing in this resr*e" + as workers in hotels. The memorandum adds: —It appeared from the evidence that in some of the establishments covered by this award, the workers obtained meals of a very unsubstantial diameter. Tlie Court has- therefore provided that workers in all establislimen'.s (other than privato hotols which have to provide workers with their board nnd lodging or their equivnlent) shall be provided with substantial meals or tho means to procure them bo paid in addition to tho wages fixed.