CASUAL BOY LABOUR ON GROCERY ROUNDS OPPOSED BY UNION

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1949, Page 9

CASUAL BOY LABOUR ON GROCERY ROUNDS OPPOSED BY UNION

WELLINGTON, /September - 21 (P_A.)—A boy who delivers groceries to the back door after school iiqurs'is performing a service to the community which is not. countenanced in the eyes of the Jaw. This fact was brought to light in the Arbitration Court today when the inclusion of a provision for casual boy labour in the New Zealand (except Northern'industrial. district, , other than Gisborne judicial district), Retail Grocers’ 'Assistants and Drivers Award, was being argued by the par* ties in dispute.' / .. . “The employment' of casual- boy labour, by : either employer or- epi-r ployed, is lidt allowed', apd employers are' not permitted to haye the assistance of casual. boy labour •at any time,’’ states the claim by the-ap-licant union. It did'seem to be a fait .comment that, if the employers were prepared to offer higher rates for casual boy labour, then the regular junior was entitled to consideration, said the union’s advocate, Mr P. M. Velvin. He added that the union objected strongly to the inclusion in the award of any provision establishing casual boy. labour in industry. “There is not a person • in New Zealand today who cannot gel household deliveries from a grocer,” said Mr R. M. Barker, who appeared on behalf of the Southland, Drago, Nelson, Wellington, and Taranaki Master Grocers’ Industrial Union. However there had been a shortage of staff and the organisation he represented had turned to the employment of, boys to maintain‘this service to the community. The object of the employer’s proposal for the employment of casual boy labour for not more than sixteen hours per week, at the fate 22s 6d was to validate ah illegal practice, which was followed to enable requirements of the Government foi delivery of goods to be carried out, said Mr Barker. Mr Barker added that his organisation was only asking for this provision to get oyer competition from other trades, which were able to entice labour, through higher pay and amenities. His Honour: Mr Justice Tyn.dall: Not under an award?

Mr Barker: It is honoured more in the breach than in observance today. His Honour: You don’t expect us to join in the past-time..