FURS AND 40-HOUR WEEK.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 July 1936, Page 8

FURS AND 40-HOUR WEEK.

APPLICATION FOR SEASONAL EXTENSION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Last Night.

The seasonable nature of the industry and the risk of changing fashions in furs were emphasised by witnesses called in support of an application by the manufacturing furriers of the Dominion to-day heard in the Arbitration Court for an extension of the hours of employment to 44 per week ror me months from January to June and 40 hours per week for the remainder of the year. Counsel said it was a highlyspecialised trade and oven with a -11hour week great diliiculty was experienced in securing competent labour to fulfil the orders. A great deal of overtime was worked in the busy period. In fact the reason for the application was the shortage of skilled labour. There was a danger of loss of trade to New Zealand manufacturers by the importation of furs from overseas.

The employees opposed the application, stating that one Wellington linn had already worked a 40-hour week. Since work was not begun until auum 9.45 a.m. the business of this linn hart steadily increased. The shortage ol labour was due to the fact mat me rm manufacturers did not offer as high wages as could bo obtained m otner branches of the clothing industry. Fashion did not dictate to the fur industry as much as to the manufacturer of ladies' append end the latter industry had already come under a *O- - week decision.

Mr. Justice Page intimated that the Court would require time to consider the case.