RESTAURANT CLOSING

Evening Star, Issue 22919, 29 March 1938, Page 14

RESTAURANT CLOSING

DIFFICULTY IN SECURING STAFFS One of the largest restaurants in Wellington, the New Majestic, is closing down on account, it is stated, of the unsatisfactory labour conditions. The cabaret, however, is to be continued. Interviewed (says the ‘Dominion’), the proprietor, Mr Frederick Carr, attributed the position to the difficulty of securing a complete and competent staff. He had not had a full staff for the past eight months, and many assistants he had had were not efficient. On a recent Friday 1,100 customers had been served at two meals. He had no complaint about lack of business, but of the difficulty in catering for it in such big premises. “ The shortage of competent employees is one of the major problems confronting the trade in Wellington. Until something is done to rectify this state of affairs an essential service to the community will suffer,” said Mr Carr. Many 'reasons could be advanced for this shortage of efficient employees, which, he said, did not apply, prior to the present Government taking office. He had no objection to raise against increased wages and shorter hours, provided industry could stand the natural increase in costs, hut one direct result of these conditions was a rush to the most attractive occupations. The trouble was that quite a number of employees made themselves efficient so long as the job was attractive, but any old thing seemed to do if the job was not “ nice.” Employers were not so concerned over wages as over the efficiency of staffs. At the present time capable chefs were very scarce, but new conditions were sought for employees who were incapable of giving service commensurate with those demands. Representations bad been made to the Government to have various conditions at present hampering the efficient working of the trade altered, hut without result. Among these was a suggestion that the Act should be altered to permit, of females working at night after 10.30. At the present time many women applied for night work, more especially for jobs in the pantry, but could not be employed, boys and youths doing this work, ah which many of them were incompetent. Another request was that the half-day closing hour should be altered from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., the 1 p.m. arrangement beins inconvenient in restaurants, as this was a rush time. If higher wages and shorter hours were to ho forced on the trade some action should he taken by the Government or the trade unions to ensure some efficiency among emplovees. contended Mr Carr. Prices would probably' have to go up, hut meals were very cheap at present in' New Zealand by comparison with Australia.