"THE LAST STRAW"

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 34, 9 August 1921, Page 10

"THE LAST STRAW"

CONDITIONS IN SOFTGOODS AND

OTHER TRADES

CONSIDERATION BY ARBITRATION COURT. (id TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHTJRCH, Bth August. .Conditions in the soft goods and certain other trades were the subject of consideration in the Arbitration Court to-day, ,when the Canterbury Retail Shop Assistants' Union made demands for a new award, asking for substantial increases in wages and improvements in conditions. "It is the last straw which breaks the camel's back,", said Mr. F. Cooper, who, opposed the union's claims on behalf of the employers. "My responsibility to-day is to endeavour to show the Court that these demands of the union are in danger of becoming tho last straw. The employers' contention is that the union in its present application, whether successful or unsuccessful, is decidedly . ill-advised in approaching the Court for increase of wages and more restrictive conditions like, this. I ■can confidently make the statement that thero are very few, if any, adult workers, but must know that the conditions of the trade are materially worse thani when the present award was made. Many of them know much more than this, and that the position of the trade is such that if they are enabled to continue the present rates and conditions until the end of next April they will be doing remarkably well. The employers' position is that but for the Court's pronouncement as to stabilising wages, an application would probably have been made for a reduction; in fact, it is felt by some that in spite of the Court's policy an application should bo mad© for a revision of wages and conditions in the light of the present position. However, it is hoped that for the period named ■ nothing very serious will occur, and as it is to the employers' as well as the workers' benefit that there should be no serious avoidable disturbance to trade and industry, the employers are prepared to do their best to avoid it.' To do it effectually will require the co-operation of their staffs, and it ia their hope to maintain the present position. Should, however, the Court decide to depart from its policy in this case and grant increases, then it must occur that many employers will have to let go, and the result will be that some employees will benefit by increases whilst. many will suffer by loss of employment. I' place this view before the Court in all seriousness, not by any means as a threat, but as'the mature opinion of those conversant with the position." Mr. R. D. Martin, who appeared for tho union, said that the. drapery trade could not, be said to be slack ,at the present time, and not one draper's assistant was out of work, while there / were hundreds of men formerly employed by other industries out of employment. . -. _ '•

Mr. Cooper: "You will admit that they are making extraordinary efforts to keep them on?" Mr. Martin: "We admit that they are having sales which are bringing _in a large amount of business and helping the employers to get rid of large surplus of stocks on^which they had fabulous prices. I deny generally that the drapery business is being conducted at a loss to-day, the bulk of the goods being, sold at a considerable profit,"