STONEMASONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 16, 18 July 1936, Page 13

STONEMASONS

WORKING HOUES

CLAIM FOR EXTENSION

Arguing that the stonemason's and monumental mason's product ih New Zealand could not be increased in price, a number of manufacturers applied to the Arbitration Court yesterday afternoon for an extension of the 40-hour week. The workers counterclaimed an amendment of the existing awards to provide for the 4(Wiour week. ■Mr. W. E. Anderson, who represented the masons, suggested that the applications should be adjourned because the parties had met in conciliation council and. had reached agreement on all matters except hours and wages which were referred to the Court. If the Court could consider the matter when the- agreement came before it, a double hearing would be avoided. Mr. J. Roberts,; who represented the workers, objected to any postponement. It was true, he said, that a partial agreement had been reached and he believed that a complete agreement would be made if the question of hours was settled. If the case was held, over itmight not reach the Court for some months, and it was only right that the stonemasons should have the benefit of the shorter hours irom September 1. .-'..- Mr. Justice Page said that the Court considered the applications should proceed.- ---: OVERSEAS COMPETITION. Mr. Anderson said the employers were applying for an extension of the weekly hours from 40 to 44. The plant used in stonemasons' work was very costly,' and' a necessary, amount of work had to be done per week. Most of the work was manufacturing for monumental masons throughout the country and the wholesale manufacturers, found they could not compete with manufacturers overseas. It followed that, if the wages costs were further increased, the overseas manufacturers ' would have an- even greater advantage and the local manufacturers would probably become importers. The only ttilhg that kept the retailers from importing- was'that they could secure the local article at short notice, but if the cost of the local article was increased the retailers would certainly import their requirements. :Mr. H. W. Parkinson, .a director of Parkinson, Ltd.; Auckland, said his firm undertook work for buildings, but the major part of the work was monumental masonry. He valued the plant and building of the firm at £8000. They also carried about £8000 worth of- stocks,of rough granite. About forty employees were kept" iri Tegular work. Most of the output was sold to retailers, about forty firms, being supplied. Monuments could be imported and -standard lines could; b^ landed in' New Zealand ait a much lower figure than the local manufacturing cost. In reply to Mr.l Roberts, the witness said the Australian stonemasons competed with the New Zealand manufacturers. He-could not say that a 40----hour week had been worked -by Australian masons? for thirty years. They, had asked the Government for a higher protective tariff and had told the workers that they could not'work the 40----hour week' without that, protection. To. Mr. A. L. Monteith, Mr. Parkinson said the New Zealand tariff was 20 per cent. British and 45 per cent, foreign. ; -'■'■' POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. ■Mr. Itoteerts,;" addressing "the Court, said .'the stonemasons of Australia had been working a 40-hour week since 1907 .because, it.was recognised that the dust from.-'the ;'stone was injurious to health. It was essential that the work-' ers should have" as long a break at flic •weekend as' possible. There were a number of unemployed stonemasons in New Zealand—about one to every five employed, and nothing had been brought forward to show that the 40----hour, 5-day week could not be applied to the industry. ■ Mr. W. Vennall, secretary .of the Stonemasons' Federation,- said- he had served his apprenticeship as a stonemason in England, and had' worked at the 'trade iri "Wellington. Since the pneumatic tools .had been •introduced the harm from dust had greatly, increased; and the number of 'men required had decreased. There was.no reason why the week should not be applied to 'the industry and; in his opinion, the men were entitled to a long weekend away from the dust and noise. . . ~

Decision was reserved.