TANNERS WANT 44-HOUR WEEK

Northern Advocate, 11 July 1936, Page 8

TANNERS WANT 44-HOUR WEEK

COURT RESERVES ITS DECISION LPer Press Association. — Copyright .l WELLINGTON, This Day. Based on the contention that it would be impossible to carry on the tanning industry on a five-day, 40hour week, an application was made to the Arbitration Court by Mr W. E. Anderton, secretary of the Auckland Employers’ Association, on behalf of the tanners and fellmongers of New Zealand for an extension of the working week to 44 hours. The workers in the industry opposed the application. Mr Anderton said there were five awards covering the industry, and those provided for a 48-hour week. New Zealand tanners were of the opinion that they could produce leather of good uniform quality more easily if the working week w r as spread over seven days. The industry was organised for a five and a half day week, however, to enable the employees a free week-end, although the goods in the process of manufacture had to receive attention on Saturday.

Mr Anderton submitted that the process of manufacture required at least a five and a half day week, and a working week of 44 hours was the absolute minimum if the tanners were to maintain output and the standard of efficiency. By the introduction of modern machinery, New Zealand tanners had been enabled tc export to London, but if costs were increased that would be lost. There was an indication that Australian tanners would take advantage of the increased cost in New Zealand and enter New Zealand markets. After hearing the representatives of the workers, who claimed that a 40hour week could be applied to the industry, the Court reserved its decision.