GROCERS’ ASSISTANTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 163, 28 March 1923, Page 4

GROCERS’ ASSISTANTS

NO AGREEMENT. The adjourned sitting of the Conciliation o Council in the case of the grocers’ assistants was resumed yesterday, Mr. W. Newton (Conciliation Commissioner) occupying the chair. Messrs. R. McKeen, M.P., H, J. Mortensen, and J. G. Greenhill were the workers’ assessors, and Messrs. J. Mcllwraith, E. Reed, and W. Grenfell the employers’ assessors. Mr. McKeen said he had submitted the question of hours to his union on the previous night, and there might be a chance of a settlement if the employers consented to closo at noon on Saturday. The employees desired to abolish the long day. The public did not wish for a late night. The employees were also against starring at 8.15 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. Mr. Grenfell ridiculed the idea of calling that a concession—it was _ another endeavour to get privileges piecemeal to the disadvantage of the employers. The Commissioner pointed out in reply to Mr. Mortensen, that the hour of starting had to be rearranged because of the reduction of lioilrs, and it appeared that the later starting was most' convenient to the employers. It was decided to refer the question of hours to the Court. Mr. Mcllwraith said that the employers had to pay 100 per cent, more for their labour.

Mr. McKeen replied that the men were paying 109 per cent, more for their goods, and the employers were making 100 per cent, greater profits. Mr. Reed ridiculed that idea. His experience during the last two years had been that the employer made no profits. Mr. McKeen did not know a young man who had started business, on Jnn owh account and had returned to work for others. Mr. Mcllwraith knew of three who had started business in one locality, but had now become employees again. Mr. McKeen, in reply to the Commissioner, stated that the union was not prepared io consder closing the shops during Christmas week instead of giving the annual holiday. Mr. Mortensen said that the Court would never agree to inconvenience the public in that way. Mr. Mcllwraith replied that he had also heard Mr. Mortensen say that the Court would never upset anything agreed upon at the Conciliation Coun-

After some desultory discussion, in the course of which the Commissioner observed that there did not seem, to be any prospect of settling the points at issue, tho council adjourned at 1 p.m. to Palmerston North, where a sitting will be held to-day.