EARLY MORNING MILK DELIVERY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 258, 28 July 1936, Page 8

EARLY MORNING MILK DELIVERY

Minister’s Assent Awaited

The roundsmen, the city council’s milk committee and the public generally all favour a return to the prebreakfast delivery of milk in Wellington. Mr. R. Herron (manager of the department) stated yesterday that under a working day of seven hours 40 minutes it was not economically advisable to employ the roundsmen in the early mornings because under the Shops and Offices Act they were not permitted to commence work before 3 a.m., which would have extended their working day to 10.40 a.m. Under an amendment to the Act last session, however, the Minister of Labour (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) was given discretionary power to allow work to commence at an earlier hour than 3 a.m. if the union and employers concerned were agreeable. In this case the men and the department are in agreement to begin work at 2 a.m. (working a 40-hour week), and the department is now only awaiting the Minister’s formal assent. When that, is obtained the change will be made. Iti the meantime preparations are being made to accelerate the change-over as soon as the Minister gives his approval.