THE FUR TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 200, 14 July 1936, Page 10

THE FUR TRADE.

HOURS OF WORK. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 13. Tlic seasonable nature of the industry and the risk of changing fashions in furs weie 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 for the months from January to June, and 40 hours per week for the remainder of the year. Counsel said it was a highly-speci-alised trade, and even with a 44-hour week great difficulty 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 firm had already worked a 40-hour week. Since work was.not begun until about 9.45 a.m. the business of this firm had steadily increased. The shortage of labour was due to the fact that the fur manufacturers did not offer as high wages as could be obtained in other brauches of the .clothing industry. Fashion did not dictate to the fur industry as much as to the manufacturer of ladies’ apparel and the latter industry had already come under a 40hour week decision.

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