HAIRESSING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 133, 2 December 1937, Page 30

HAIRESSING

;>MotE'' FOE^LICENCE

REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT

Stressing the need for the immediate introduction of legislation- to protect the hairdressing industry, a recent special meeting of the .New Zealand Hairdressers' and Retail Tobacconists' Federation, the Wellington Ladies Hairdressing Salon Proprietors' Association, and the Wellington Industrial District Hairdressers', Hairworkers' and Wig-makers' Assistants' Union, unanimously passed the following resolution:— ■ "That this meeting endorses the proposals for licensing and registration as prepared and drawn up by the combined committee, and that the committee be" authorised to arrange the I deputation to the Government at the ; earliest possible moment and _' press for some action and ask that this proposed plan be taken off the shelf and considered as soon as possible."

Mr. E. Humphries, president of the New Zealand Federation, presided.

Tn a report supplied after the meeting it was stated that the plan of control submitted to the Government some months ago, and since then handed on to the Bureau of Industry, had the unanimous support of all the incorporated hairdressing associations, and also the hairdressers', assistants' unions throughout New Zealand, and it was considered its coming into force would place the industry on a much better basis than it was at present. This plan provided for the licensing of all saloons and the registration of all hairdressers.

Referring to the developments leading to the necessity for a plan or some system of control in the hairdressing industry, Mr. A. L..Knowsley, president of the Wellington Association, said these were brought about by the general national movement towards a higher wage standard, the uneconomic condition brought about by price-cut-ting and unscrupulous methods of competition, the definite and heavy increase in costs," and the meagre and insufficient profits allowed retail tobacconists. This had resulted in an overlap of shop expenses incurred in the handling' of the tobacco products of the manufacturers, which meant that the saloons were being compelled to shoulder the overlapping costs.

"For many years the federation and the associations in the industry have struggled to obtain recognition by the Government of the serious injustices of the problems which affect the trade," said Mr. Knowsley.

"We' have the promise of the Government that reform would be brought about, but up to the present time, after two years, we are still waiting for these reforms to be introduced. In regard to the women hair specialists. I am convinced that just as surely as the men's side of the industry has drifted from the status of a sound business down to its present bare living standard, just as surely will the women specialists' section so drift, unless by efficient organisation on their part, and the co-operation of the Government; through the medium of the proposed plan, they are able to protect their industry. The abuses I have referred to and the fact that journeymen and journeywomen. after serving their five years' apprenticeship,-have-no protection against any 'gate-crasher' who may butt into the industry and usurp the jobs which are justly the reward, of the genuine journeyman, have aroused a storm of indignation throughout the industry. We meet here to. malce an appeal to the Government for. action."

- Other spe'akprs ,were Messrs' -N. Mercer (Wellington), representing women's hairdressers. R. Dentice (Wellington), president of the. Wellington Ladies' Hairdressers' Association, ;and ,T,.C. Tierney'/Wellington), representing 'the emnloyees.