PRIVATE HOTELS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 51, 1 March 1934, Page 4

PRIVATE HOTELS

EMPLOYEES' CONDITIONS

NO AGREEMENT REACHED

The Conciliation Council convened to consider the terms of an agreement proposed, by the workers' union to take thej'place o'f'the award which had exphed, continued its sitting yesterday afternoon. • The Conciliation Commissioner (Mr. P. Hally) presided. The employees' assessors wero Messrs. J. Roberts (advocate), P. G. Young, Auckland (advocate); R. A. Brooks, Christchurch; J. Robinson, Dunedin; H. O'Malley, Wellington; ,C,~ .Pro van, Invercargill; >\J. Goodall, Greymouth; and Miss M. Mitchell,1 NelsoV'TTie employers^ wero "represented -by Mr. W. J. Mountjoy (advocate); Mr. ,W. E. Anderson, Auckland; Mr. W.- F. O'Reilly.-Wellington; Mr. S. Jameson, Christchurehf .Mr. P,; C. Barker, Dunedin; Mr.' W. J. Hughes; Wanganui; and Mr.;" W.. J. • HoWe, Timaru. " , '; ■ . s ?J£ Following, a\ discussion on the terjnli proposed by tho employees' union, and the counter-proposals of the employers, separate meetings of the parties were held to see if an agreement could be reached. .: 9 On the resumption of the joint meeting, the following statement was made on behalf of the employers:—"For the reason that it is impracticable to make an award or agreement binding a large body of our competitors—private householders taking in boarders, and the small private hotels , and boardinghouses having fewer than three workers —we ;■ regret that we cannot make an award on terms other than those contained in the counter-proposals submitted by the employers. We are of the opinion that other conditions of employment are adequately covered by the provisions of the Shops, and .Offices Act, 1921-22." ' 1 Mr. Mountjoy\stated that the 'employers felt that the Shops and Offices Act'-'for' protecting workers was sufficient in' the meantime, with the trade and conditions that existed. They preferred not to be under' the operation of an award, but, & Court order ; could be applied for. Mr. Roberts said that meant, that the employers could employ workers for any wage at all. - "- Mr. -Mountjoy said that the offer of the employers embodied the viewpoint of those engaged in the business. The Conciliation Commissioner urged that a further attempt should be made to reach'an. agreement. Tho employers' assessors ■ agreed to the council being adjourned sine die, to give an'opportunity for them to confer with those they represented. If there was any possibility of 'arriving at an agreement they would be prepared to the Conciliation Council being called together again.