TANNERS' DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 143, 18 June 1937, Page 24

TANNERS' DISPUTE

TO GO TO COURT

WAGES AND HOURS

The hearing of the dispute between the New Zealand Tanners' Industrial Association of Employers (applicants) til the Auckland Curriers' »** Beam* men's Industrial Union of Wor^rs, and others in other provinces, commenced on Wednesday, was continued before the Conciliation Commissioner yesterday, but as no agreement was reached, the matters of wages and hours were referred to the Arbitration The assessors for the applicants were Messrs. S. G. Bouron (Christchurch), S L. Wright (Christchurch), H. L. Longbottom (Dunedin). T. Tompkins (Dunedin), J. E. Astley (Auckland), A. E. Lawry (Auckland), and the advocate was Mr. T. O. Bishop (Wellington). . , , The assessors for the respondents were Messrs. H. J. Neeson (Auckland), N G. Harlick (Onehunga), H. Glengarry (Dunedin), J. A. Milburn (Dunedin), F. C. Wadman (Christchurch), CL. Burnand (Sydenham), and H. G. Kilpatrick (Christchurch). The agent was Mr. W. E. Sill (Trades Hall, Auckland), ■ Agreement was reached upon several minor clauses. An extended classification list was submitted yesterday by the workers for the first score of occupations, 2s lOd per hour being asked. "There is no need for us to go any further," remarked an employers' assessor, but some of the lower classification wages were discussed. After several adjournments for private conference, without either side shifting ground on the wages and hours questions, the Commissioner asked whether the reduction of hours to 40, with the retention of the wages being paid at present, would be satisfactory to either party. The employers had a 44-hour week from the Court, and did not wish to lose it. If the highest wage paid in any district were made to apply to all, pointed out Mr. Bishop, it would mean a decided increase in the districts which were the lowest paid at present.

The present lowest wages, said the Commissioner, were the lowest paid in any industry. Taking the wages paid in 1931, and adding 10 per cent., said Mr. Bishop, would bring the amount for the lowestpaid workers to 2s Id per hour, beyond which the employers were not willing to go, though willing to pay more qualified workers more. The majority of workers in the industry in Australia were getting under £4 per week, most of them getting the Australian basic wage of £3 6s. The 44-hour week was essential to the industry, which would not permit of higher wages than those paid at present. Australian competition was strong, and the importations of its leather were increasing.

Mr. Sill, for the workers, was not prepared to depart from the 40-hour week, but offered a reduction in the lowest-paid workers to 2s 4d. The wages offered by the applicants on Wednesday were from 2s Id per hour to ls lOd, and those sought by the respondents were from 2s lOd per hour to 2s 7d per hour.

A large meeting of the Rongotai College Ladies' Auxiliary was held at the school recently, when the main business was to finalise arrangements for the miniature garden display to be held in the gymnasium on Saturday, June 26, at 2.30 p.m. A dance, it was stated, will be held' in the evening, and as these functions are always very popular, an enjoyable timo is assured all those who attend.