ARBITRATION COURT

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 183, 4 August 1920, Page 8

ARBITRATION COURT

DISPUTE BY GKOCERS' ASSISTANTS. '

[Ppjess "Association."!

WELLINGTON, Aug. 4. The Grocers' assistants' dispute came before the Arbitration Court today. Mr McKeen, for the union, said that the hours were ; the longest worked hi any trade, being 52 per tfeek. There had been no reduction since 1912. Grocers' assistants in New Zealand, particularly in Wellington, were working; longer hours than any other'shop assistants in. Australasia. The average ftours' in other fit ops were 48. The president of the Court .pointoJ. out that there was an amendment to the Shops and Offices Act, now before Parliament. . . Mr McKeen agreed, but pointed out that the workers 'were m v dilemma between the Court and Parliament. The union found in a conference with the employers that the employers were sheltering behind the Shops and Offices Act, and the Court had/been inclined to take the same view.

The president said that the Court ljad jurisdiction to shorten hours, but did not care. to exercise that jurisdiction in the face of a special .Act. Ho suggested that the Legislature should not fix the hours of work in shops, but the times for opening and closing. "• ' . The Court reserved iti decision regarding the hours of work, wages, and the weekly half-holiday. ■