WAGES FOR WICKER WORKERS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 March 1937, Page 7

WAGES FOR WICKER WORKERS.

POSITION AT LONGBXJEN MISSIONARY COLJjEGB. (By Telegraph— Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. • The hearing of a Dominion dispute between the wicker workers and their employees was begun in the Conciliation Council to-day with Mr M. J. Reardon, 'Commissioner, presiding. Both parties proposed a forty-hour week but there was a wide divergence in the wages proposals and claims for the employment of youths. These points were unsettled when the council adjourned until to-morrow. The employees claimed a wage of £6 a week and the employers proposed an hourly rate of 2s 3d which with the 40hour week would amount to £4 10s neither party conceding anything from these figures. The Commissioner said he did , not think either side had been quite reasonable. The employers claimed the right to employ youths at certain simple work hut the employees held that a contract of apprenticeship was necessary. The employment of youths is complicated by the position at the New Zealand Missionary College at Longburn conducted by the Seventh Day Adventist Church where wicker work is done by boys in part payment of fees. The college seeks special provisions.