CAPT SEDDON'S SERVICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15948, 19 June 1915, Page 8

CAPT SEDDON'S SERVICES.

OFFER FOR THE FRONT.

NOT YET ACCEPTED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Gisborne, Friday. The question of Capt. Seddon not having gone to the front has been, raisctl in a Wellington newspaper. Capt. Seddon, who is at present in Gisborne, states that he feels that his side of the matter should be made public. He sent the following letter "to the commandant on August I last:"Sir, feel, it my duty, firstly as a New Zealander and second.y as one whom this country trained for military defence, to offer my services in the Expeditionary Force now being enrolled if a suitable position can be offered me. If you think a personal interview is desirable I shall be glad to wait upon you at any time and place. Yours obediently, R. J. Seddon.", ' Ihe reply received by Capt. Seddon and dated August 7, was as follows:—"Dear Sir, — am directed by the general ofheer commanding to thank you very much for your letter of to-day's date and to inform you that your name has been registered and will have every consideration when the appointments are made. Yours faithfully, T. Rhodes, A.D.0." Capt. Seddon states that he has heard nothing further on the matter, either by letter or communication of any sort Many people, he says, have asked why his cervices have not been accepted, and he has not been able to reply beyond the fact that ho volunteered at the outbreak of the war and is still ready to again go fonvard at any moment to serve las King and country.

PURCHASE OF MEAT.

OVER £2,000,000 PAID.

[or TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington. Friday. Up to yesterday, the New Zealand Government had paid for meat purchased on behalf of the Imperial Government, £2,034,598. As payment is mad© on shipment, this money has been paid only for meat actually despatched or is now loaded on steamers to sail. There must be more than £2,000,000 worth of meat in stores in New Zealand ready for shipment

NATIONAL RESERVE.

BRANCH AT COROMANDEL. [nr TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] Coroilvndel, Friday. A well attended meeting of those interested in the formation of a branch of the National Reserve was held here last evening. Mr. Bennett, county chairman, presided. It was decided to form a branch and the following officers were appointed : President, Mr. F. B. Burgess; vice-presi-dent, Mr. J. Reilly; secretary, Mr. Richard Simmonds. A committee of ten members was also appointed. An offer from Captain Horn© to act as drill instructor was accepted. About 40 members have given in their names.

THE GERMAN PROFESSOR.

FURTHER PROTEST. [BT TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. The Wellington Patriotic Society this evening decided to protest against the Victoria College Council's decision to retain the services of an unnaturalised German oil its staff. Mr. H. G. Hill, chairman of the society, moved: " That this meeting is of opinion that the action of the council of Victoria College in keeping an unnaturalised German as one of its professors at a time when the British nation is at death-grips with Germany, and our New Zealand boys are sacrificing their lives in a war which Germany commenced, is an outrage upon British feeling and sentiment, and calls upon the Government to take such action as is necessary to prevent public moneys being used for the payment of alien subjects." Mr. Hill said that the matter was not a personal one, but a question of principle. He had been besieged with protests regarding tho matter.. The motion was carried. O

PRIVATE HOTEL WORKERS.

WAGES AND HOLIDAYS.

[by telegraph.— association.] Wellington, Friday. The conditions of labour of employees in private hotels, clubs, and are set forth in an award filed by tho Arbitration Court with tho clerk of awards. In a, memorandum attached to the award the Court states that tho principal questionsl submitted were; (a) As to the establishments to be brought under the award as "private hotels;" (b) as to the minimum rate of wages; and (c) as to holidays, The memorandum states that the socalled private hotels are really public boardinchouses, and carry on business in much the same way as ordinary hotels, differing from them only in that they are not licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquors. Tho Court is of opinion therefore that as to their general'management and the conditions of workers they should be placed on the "same footing* as hotels. Referring to wages the memorandum states that the Court has fixed these at the same rates as those already provided for workers in similar capacities under the award dealing with licensed hotels. Regarding holidays the Court mentions that it was clearly intended by the Legislature that private hotels should bo brought under the provisions of tlio Shops and Offices Act. 1908, and its amendments, but owing to a defective definition in the Shops and Offices Act, 1910, this intention has been to a largo extont defeated. The Court has therefore remedied the defect as far as the establishments bound by the award are concerned by incorporating the provisions of these Acts in tho award and applying them to such establishments. The Court has also availed itself of tho provisions of section 8 of the Shops and Offices Amendment Act, 1913, and granted all workers covered by the award one whole day s holiday in each week, thus placing them on the same footing in this respect as workers in hotels. \ The memorandum adds: "It appeared from the evidence that in some of tho establishments covered by this award the workers obtained meals of a very unsubstantial character. The Court has therefore provided that workers in all establishments other than private hotels which have to provide workers with their board and lodging or their equivalent; shall be provided with substantial meals or the means to procure them bo paid in addition to the wages fixed." The schedule relating to private hotels provides for wages for kitchen and *«ullory hands ranging from £4 10s to £2 for males, white females are to be paid three-quarters of these rates. The waets for dimngroom hands are r Waiters £? IT*, fid 1 - lTl eSSCn ) £12s 6d; housemaids, 17s od; housemaid-waitresses, 20s Pan ry : Males 27s 6d; females, 20s. Porters day £1 7s 6d, night £1 10s; general hands not "ft boys and button!,, V 7 s 15 wrt 18 '/ 1 10s ' laundresses; ... e board 18 not provided an oxtra 15s a week is to be paid, and where lodging is not provided 7s id a week extra As regards oyster saloons, restaurants, and tea and luncheon rooms and refreshment rooms, the wages vary from £3 15s to 17s 6d according to the grade of the worker Two substantial meals on each working day are to be supplied. The tora of tli6i award is for two years,