A LEGAL REMEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14849, 28 November 1911, Page 5

A LEGAL REMEDY.

Sir, I cannot say I agree with the terms 01 the award ■ proposed, as a clerk's work is so very different to that of the artisan and labourer. My _ opinion is that the formation of an association, registered and empowered by Act of Parliament, to enforce by law its convcnant, should be all that is required to protect this class, and, if ii similar body were formed to protect | the employers, I feel confident of a ; harmonious working between the two. It !is not only the clerk who suffers at the ! hands of these old-fashioned employers, ! but also his rival in trade. Every man's timo is his stock-in-trade, and when he enters a firm ho barters a portion of that * timo for a wage, mostly to be increased as he reaches efficiency, or is promoted to greater responsibilities. At the same time, while so employed, his interests are those of his employer. I would suggest that in the event of the formation of these two associations, they should meet and draw up < a set of rules as to working hours, overtime pay, holidays, etc., such rules to be printed and posted prominently in every office, and that a substantial penalty be fixed for any infringement. The matter of salaries is one that cannot, be fixed as no j judicious standard would be possible, on

account of the varied forms of clerkship, •and some, in a 6maJl way of business would find extreme difficulty in carrying on successfully, especially wnere the counter hands do the clerical work of the establishment; this trader wotua be compelled by a union to employ a clerk who would be idle most of his time and therefore not carrying out tho. intention of unionism. Justice.