CHARTERED CLUBS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23123, 23 August 1938, Page 11

CHARTERED CLUBS

DEMANDS OF WOEKEKS EMPLOYERS' CONTENTION UNION ADVOCATE IN REPLY [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Monday A contention that if the proposals of workers for an award governing chartered clubs were given effect to in their entirety a crushing blow would be struck at the chib life of the men of New Zealand was advanced in Conciliation Council to-day by Mr. W. J• Mount joy, advocate for the employers. Mr. Mountjoy said that one of the principal clubs in Auckland had shown a loss over the past seven years of £494, and the management stated definitely that they could not carry on under the union's conditions. Two small Wellington clubs had lost £231 and £4O respectively, and a small W anganui club with only three employees had lost £7G during the past year. Neither of the two Wellington clubs could carry on under the proposed conditions, and the Wanganui club would be faced with additional expenditure of £sll per annum. Another small club in the Taranaki district would be forced to increase its subscription collections by £450 and £SOO a year, while a similar dub in Napier would be faced with an increased expenditure of £560 a year. A club at Hastings would be affected to the extent of £1385 a year, and one at Nelson, which had incurred a loss of £156 over the past three years, would find its costs increased by £403 a year. A South Canterbury club which had had a loss of £127 last year would have to close if the union's claims were enforced. Link in Social Life "There are many more clubs that j could be quoted," said Mr. Mountjoy, "but those mentioned should serve to show that more harm than good woiild result from placing upon those institutions terms and conditions of employment which are unnecessary. At present there is no difficulty in obtaining staff to work in chartered clubs, which proves that conditions are congenial and sought after." The industry, if it might be called such, said Mr. Mountjoy, was peculiar and different from others, as none of the clubs was established for or in business for pecuniary gain. "They merely form a link in the social life of the community," lie said. "It is also submitted that it is not in the interests of the men of this Dominion that their means of decent and respectable enjoyment should be made difficult or placed beyond their reach by unnecessarily increasing costs so as to make membership impossible. Finally, if conditions of employment are made so difficult that clubs are compelled to close down, the effect would be that many workers would be thrown out of employment in which they are quite happy. Greater Privileges Offered "It is therefore suggested," Mr. Mountjoy continued, "that if the union is desirous of covering the chartered clubs by an award, they should realise that the best award that can be made is one that will suit the industry and I not unnecessarily retard or restrict its progress." In conclusion, Mr. Mountjoy "contended that the employers, by their proposals in the present dispute, had set out to give the workers greater privileges and benefits than they had hitherto received. ' "1 would bo impressed by that statement, Mr. Mountjoy, but for the fact that I am thoroughly familiar with this dispute," said Mr. F. G. Young, advocate for the workers, in replying to Mr. Mountjoy's observations. "we have come here also in a spirit of conciliation, and 1 bate very much to throw a spanner in the works. " e must, however, face cold facts, and they are that 20 years ago chartered clubs were exempted from awards by legislation which was carried with a maioritv of one vote. Lhev gave an undertaking then to play the game, but I am here to say they have abused it in every shape and form." Privilege of Exclusiveness

Continuing, Mr. Young asserted that one club in Duncdin which had enjoyed the patronage of Royalty was at present paying its head waiter £2 10s a week, during which the man in question worked 73.} hours. Some of the hours in this club, he alleged, were as much as SO a week, and in several instances employees were receiving very low wages. "It is no use putting across a sob story for clubs," he added. "Some of them have got themselves into a lot of trouble because they, have introduced class distinctions. Clubs like working men's clubs, that are democratic, are making money hand over fist. If you want exclusiveness von must pay for it, but apparently some of the gentlemen in New Zealand who want to be exclusive are not prepared to pay for the privilege." Mr. Young said he had written to the secretaries of six Auckland clubs in a most conciliatory spirit, but had been given no satisfaction. Nevertheless, the workers were just as anxious as the employers for an agreement, and would do their best to bring it about.

MAJOR POINTS UNSETTLED EMPLOYERS' OFFERS REJECTED [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Monday Agreement on a number of minor clauses was reached in Conciliation Council in Wellington to-dav in the dispute between employees in chartered clubs and chartered clubs throughout New Zealand. Before the amendments to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act in 1937 employees of chartered clubs were exempted by legislation from award provisions, and the* 1937 amendment gave them the right to apply to be brought under the provisions of the Act. The suggested term of the award is one year. When the council adjourned at 5 p.m. until to-morrow morning there was still considerable difference between the claims and counter-claims for wages and hours of work. In the afternoon the employers made an offer to pay wages on the basis of the scale suggested for the proposed new private hotel workers' award, which is still under consideration, hut the employees did not agree to this. The envployers offered nine days' annual leave, but the employees asked for 14 days. An offer by the employers to concede a 44-hour week was declined by the employees, who claimed a 40-hour week.