WAGE DEMANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25084, 23 December 1944, Page 6

WAGE DEMANDS

freezing workers STATE SUBSIDY LIKELY Demands by the federated freezing workers' unions throughout the Dominion for a 40-hour week and increased wages, which have been rejected by the employers, have resulted in the Government intervening with a view to reaching some agreement and averting a hold-up in the industry, according to reports reaching Auckland from Wellington. It is understood that a conference of the parties was held this week under the direction of the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, when it became known that, in the event of the workers' demands not being granted in full, a go-slow policy would be adopted in the new year. The differences developed some weeks ago, when representatives of the unions and employers met to discuss proposals for a new industrial award. The employers' representatives declared the inability of the industry to carry any increased costs unless the companies were granted some increase in their freezing rates. They stated that the companies were still operating on prewar rates, out of which they had met the two wage increases under the Arbitration Court's general orders, the heavy increase in cost of materials and, more recently, the payment of two weeks' annual holiday to all employees. Go-Slow Policy The discussions were broken off when no agreement was reached, and the companies were later advised that the unions were demanding a 40-hour week, Avage increases of 25 per cent for hourly workers, I 2£ per cent for pieceworkers and payment for travelling time and allowances. The employers were also informed that in the event of the demands not being granted in full a goslow policy would he adopted on .lanuarv 8. I Government intervention followed, a , conferences of the parlies, summoned! by the Minister of Labour, being held at Wellington on Wednesday. It is understood that the Government is prepared to concede part of the unions' demands, and has assured the companies t|iat any increases in wages will he met by a State subsidy, presumably from the War Expenses Account. Attitude of Employers While the attitude of the employers has not been indicated officially, it is believed that they would, in these circumstances. be prepared to grant an increase of 10 per cent on hourly rates and from 5 to 7£ per cent to pieceworkers. They are not expected, however, to concede a 40-hour week, in view of the nature of the industry, and would be opposed to payment of travelling time and allowances. The issue is said to rest with the Government, which, if it agreed to grant a subsidy to meet any increases granted, would have to persuade the workers to accept their reduced demands. , , , . The works in the Auckland district are observing the two weekend statutory Christmas and New Year holiday breaks and full-scale operations are due to recommence on January 3. From then onward the lamb killing season will he at its peak and the plants will require to be maintained at full capacity to deal with the vast numbers of stock. MAGISTRATE EXPLAINS INCIDENT IN COURT COUNSEL AND CLIENT A statement concerning the brief scene which occurred between him and Mr Trevor Henry in the Police J Court the previous week was read by Mr F. H. Levien, S.M., when the Court opened yesterday. Representa- ' tions had been made to him, said Mr Levien, bv a deputation of the Auckland District Law Society with reference to certain remarks reported as having been made by him during the recent hearing of the information against Henry Clifton Sallerv, charged with using certain premises as a common gaming house. . . "An important exhibit containing many names and numbers was handed to Mr Henry for perusal," said the magistrate. '"'At a later stage in the hearing I noticed that Mr Sallerv, who had been accorded the privilege of sitting at counsel's table beside Mr Henry, was writing or scribbling upon the exhibit. I immediately drew attention to this impropriety and made certain observations which to the public may appear to reflect, among other matters, upon Mr Henry's professional conduct. This Court would not and could not deny Mr Henry or any counsel the long-established right to peruse and examine any exhibit, but sucn right imposes at least a duty upon counsel to preserve the exhibit in the same state as it was received by him. "Mr Henrv stated that he was unaware of his client's action in writing or scribbling upon the exhibit," concluded Mr Levien. "I accepted Mr Henry's statement in this respect and exonerated him from any suggestion of professional misconduct." THE YEAR'S DIVORCES OVER 1000 PETITIONS FILED AUCKLAND'S RECORD TOTAL A record number of just over 1000 | petitions in divorce matters was filed ! In Auckland during the Supreme Court i year ended yesterday, the total number i dealt with during the year being 894. Last year's total was 703, ami was then a record. In 1942 the total was 493, the previous record being the 504 petitions dealt with in 1940. Of the 1944 total, only about one in five of the petitions dealt with were decrees in divorce, the others being petitions for restitution of conjugal rights. The majority of restitution matters were not pursued farther than that stage and the total number of petitions included a number for restitution which later were the grounds of decrees nisi in divorce. BUILDING IN CITY GREATER BUOYANCY With the year's total £300,000 higher, the value of the building permits issued this year by the City Council shows more buoyancy than it has srtice 1941. The total* wa5'£732,317, compared with £ I.'W,BM~> last year and £334,206 in 1912. Attention to dwelling-houses also showed a substantial revival, the number of permits issued during the year being 230. compared with 100 last year and 68 in 1912. The permits issued this month have totalled £62,013 in value, a slight increase over last month's figure of £61.399, and also higher than last December's total of £52.319. The permits included 24 for dwellings, as against eight a year ago. Other permits issued included one for an additional storey to a factory, and one for an addition to a hostel. The remainder wore for minor alterations and additions, including three for conversions of dwellings into flats. BEACH CASUALTY STATION A casualty station is being constructed at Orewa Beach by the No. 4 Corps of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Subscriptions toward the cost have been donated by Auckland merchants, while £lO was subscribed by the public following a casualty at the beach last January. Two men from the corps will lie on duty on public holidays and at week-ends during the summer and at other times the key will be left with the caretaker of the domain. The building will be officially opened by the district commissioner of the brigade. Mr 1). F. Maeky, on January 29 and will be dedicated by the Rev. C. K. Morton." The Waterside Workers' Junior Band will attend .the opening oeremonjf,