WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 13 January 1927, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(Our /f>>frespondeiit.> The ordinary monthly meeting of the est port branch of the Westland Shop Assistants L’nion was held in the Labour Partys room on Monday evening, Mr. C. Bell being in the chair. There was a bette’’ attendance than ordinary, interest being evinced in the pending Conciliation Council proceedings to held in Reef ton on Wednesday. Ordinary routine business? having been gone through, the Secretary read the demands made by the E.'iployvrs Federation in respect to what is termed the General Section which embraces hardware, drapers, fancy goods, bootsellers tobacconists etc The counter claims lodged on behalf ot the Union were a.so placed. Members discussed the various clauses, especially those relating to wages, hours of work and holidays and as the Secretary has been appointed an Assessor to the Co:icilliation Council this gave himveiy <aluable information bearing upon the nature of their various employments so that he could lay before the Council hand information as well as being up to date. Naturally the so called claims of the Employers Federation fell in for a lot criticism, but mostly of a humorous description, i.lumbers refusing to take them •-"■•'"'slv. The claims of the Union • n respect to Grocers, Butchers a*. Chemists were also discussed and evert nally the Secretary was instructed to interview +i< > Chairman upon return from Reefton and if it was thought necessary, to call a special meeting. The Social ary explained the measures taken to acquaint other industrial organizations Where the ‘‘cuckoos'* nested, ami read replies fnini Secretaries of other organ; izatioJis thanking him for the list ami staing that their membership should be notified. Matters relative to the -want of action on tne part of the Labour Department were placed in the hands oi the Executive to deal with and if some better satisfaction is not shortly de rived to approach the Member for the .xbmbcr of the District asking him to put the complaint straight through to the Minister of Labour. The Secretary’s action in forwarding a message of sympathy to a bereaved member’s family was endorsed. It was stateil tint the next meeting would be the annual one ami an election. of officers would lake place, lie. Chairman expressed his pleasure in eec ing such a gathering on this the firsl meeting in the New Year, ami hoped G vas a happy augury of whal was to follow, lie pointed out that it would easily be recognised that tin Employers’ Federation were out in al directions to reduce wage* ami tha "they must stand shoulder to shouble I to repel the attacks. It Mas no use leav 1 ing all the business to the Secretary thev mast recognise this was a brcai

and butter question and they still I some butter. Westport shop assistants wore the poorest paid in the Dominion, in most cases this was so and they had the Employers’ Federation endeavouring to cut these wages, in some cases 50 pe«‘ cent. They were asking for an award for three years. At Die end of that period what woiild be the purchasing poweif of the £4/2/0 they were now paying or even the maxi mum of £4 they were offering alter about eight years’ service. They wanted to Stick by the A. and C. Act, but if it was going to be used to down the worker as this proposal would lead one to believe, then the sooner it was scrapped the better. A linking up witr other' industrial organisations would mean that they could bargain with confidence. He trusted that even a better muster would take place next meet mg and wished them all a Happy New Year. The meeting termniated at tt'.-u p.m. The Publie. Works Department are L.aving attention to the Loopltne Road just. now. They have about eight or nine nlP n al work there and marked improvement is showing. Mr P. -L O'Regan is at present 111 Keeft'on.'llo will be returning to Westport on Friday, en route to Wellington. Mr O'Regan has enjoyed the long u exeeedinglv, finishing up with some time in the bush, ol which he is

iul ardent lover. The concert party organised by MiG Blvthe, to perform at Millerton on Tlmrsdav night, has been postponed until tbc following Thursday, owing to the hall being engaged for other pur-