‘Ritual Tipping' In N.Z. Opposed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31091, 21 June 1966, Page 5

‘Ritual Tipping' In N.Z. Opposed

(From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU, June 20. International airlines will be asked to itidicate in their flight information that tipping is not encouraged in New Zealand, and that all workers are reasonably well paid and not dependent on tips to make up their wages.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at the annual conference of public relations officers at Timaru today. The chairman (Mr M. L. Tronson, of Auckland) said the group, which was part of the Institute of Public Relations, had committed itself to reducing tipping. After its last conference at Auckland, the authorities controlling entry points in New Zealand had been asked to display notices accordingly. The assistance of the National Council of the Licensed Trade and Hotel Workers’ Union had also been sought. Mr Tronson said the problem within hotels was that of labour management. While a person could pick and choose hotel employment, managers would tend not to restrict tips. •at is not something that is peculiar to the hotel industry. The tendency for labour to have control of the situation in New Zealand is widespread. Tipping is not something that can be cut overnight,” he said. Hotelkeepers were sympathetic and the Consumer Council agreed it would be a good thing if New Zealand could say: “This is a nontipping country,” New Cale-

donia had done so, said Mr Tronson. “If we do nothing and say nothing about it, It will become worse,” he added. Mr A. O. Davies (Dunedin) said the proportion of tips to services had "galloped" in Britain and America. British Railways, which owned hotels, used to have a 10 per cent service charge, which had been increased about six weeks ago to 12J per cent.. “We should take a firm stand on this,” he said. “It should be stamped out.” Mr Tronson:. “It Is a vexed question. The Federation of Labour has said it is opposed to tipping as a practice. At the same time, it has not yet done anything about it.” Mr C. N. Tbdd, secretary of the Canterbury Progress League and Canterbury Public Relations Office, cited several instances when, he said, he and his family had been grateful for courtesies extended by city taxi-drivers who deserved a tip. “Let us leave it to the discretion of our visitors. It could be another way to build up our overseas exchange,” he said amid laughter. “One can always be moved to make a reward for special services given. No-one is suggesting that should not be done. What we object to is ritual tipping, regardless of quality of service,” Mr Tronson said.