"FRONT OF THE HOUSE"

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 91, 14 October 1922, Page 8

"FRONT OF THE HOUSE"

CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS

SPORTS BODY EXEMPTIONS.

The dispute between the employers and the Wellington Stage Employees' Industrial .Union of Workers (front of the house division) again came before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. W. Newton) yesterday. The dispute was filed originally by the union. It came befoi"? the Commissioner recently, when a number of aspects were nettled and the proceedings were adjourned with a view to the remaining clauses being again discussed. The assessors for the union were Messrs. J. M'Arthur, J. Callaghan, and J. M'Lennan, and fo» the employers Messrs. E. J. Righton, B. J. Fuller, and B. Koyle. Mr. A. W. Croskery was also present on behalf of the union, and Mr. Grenfell represented the employers. A letter was received from the Wellington Boxing : Association, which applied for exemption from the award. Both sides of the table agreed that the association should not be exempted, on the ground that as an association they were out for pecuniary gain. If they got sufficient money they would probably build a stadium. Mr. Royle: "What about football matches and that sort of thing? I think they should all be in it." Mr. Croskery said the registrar would not allow the inclusion of these bodies.

Mr. Eoyle said the amateur operatic society was covered in another award.' They were in the same position as the boxing association. Mr. Croskery: "I would prefer to see them exempted as against the association."

The Commissioner pointed out that the application was made under section 77 of the Act, the effect of which was to exempt such organisations where there was no individual gain to members.

' It was decided to object to the association being exempted, and the application was referred to the Court.

An agreement was readied on the question of picture show hours. The employers asked for 40 hours, but agreed to fall into line with the Auckland,, award. The hours of work may be fixed by the employers, but the hours are not to exceed 32 hours for ticketsellers and 36 hours per week for tickettakers and ushers, where employees are substantially employed in that position.

The remainder of the morning was spent in discussing hours of night picture shows and wages.

All matters were finally settled between the parties with the exception of the • scope of the award, upon which varying opinions were held. The basis of the settlement in the other clauses was the Auckland award made by the Arbitration Court in March last.