FIVE-DAY WEEK FOR GARAGES?

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22340, 2 March 1938, Page 17

FIVE-DAY WEEK FOR GARAGES?

Proposal Made By

Proprietors

SUGGESTION FOR LOCAL

AGREEMENTS

If 75 per cent, of the garage proprietors and their mechanics in a locality agreed to a 40-hour week on five days, Monday to Friday, the New Zealand Garage Proprietors’ Association would agree to an application being made to the Arbitration Court for the amendment of the award in that locality. This proposition was made to the employees by Mr D. I. Macdonald, agent for the employers, at a sitting of the Conciliation Council yesterday. Mr S. Ritchie (Conciliation Commissioner) presided. The proposition was made-after the employees had asked for a 40-hour week for mechanics, to be worked on five days. Mr Macdonald said that the employers felt they had to ask for 75 per cent, so as to give protection to every section. The council adjourned to enable the employees to discuss the proposal, and their views will be considered to-day. During the discussion on the employees’ proposal, Mr J. F. Cousins, of Wellington (employers) said that the scheme for a five-day week would work better in cities than in country districts, where a good deal of business was done on Saturday mornings through the increased motor traffic.

“I submit that the hours of work in New Zealand can be reduced to 35,” said Mr G. T. Thurston, agent for the employees. “The production is equal to such a social reform. The mechanics work the 40 hours to be worked on the first five days. Since the last award was brought in, the Nelson, Whangarei, Gore, and Te Aroha districts have adopted the 40 hours worked on the first five days. If people could do it those districts .why not bring it in?” he asked. Mr Thurston said he considered that the reason why employers might be against the proposal for work on five days was because of possible disorganisation. He said that about 80 per cent, of the garage proprietors in the district favoured the scheme. “Saturday Morning Favoured" “Practically every local association has expressed itself in favour of working on Saturday mornings,” said Mr Cousins, who read the opinions of several associations. “In North Wairarapa, Saturday is the busiest day of the week,” said Mr Macdonald, who also spoke of the large increase in business in country garages through motorists going on week-end trips. “We are retailers,” said Mr ,C. R. Edmond, of Wellington (employers), “and the consensus of opinion is that we must stay open on Saturday morning to serve the public. There has to be someone on the job. If the Government brings in universal Saturd/ay morning closing the garages will fall into line. I think that we have not yet reached the stage where we should close on Saturday. We are advancing on the right lines, and will continue to make progress. We arc not in a position to: close when the public wants service on Saturday.” Mr Macdonald; We do not want to force it on the public and we do not think it would be a fair proposition. Continuing, Mr Macdonald said he did not agree that-80 per cent, of the proprietors favoured the proposal. ,