CONCILIATION BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4514, 15 November 1901, Page 3

CONCILIATION BOARD.

THE GROCERS’ DISPUTE. Tho hearing of the grocers’ dispute was resumed yesterday bclore the Conciliation Board. Mr Allan Smith, continuing his evidence, said his son, who was twenty years of ago, worked in his shop. Ho had no share, but the idea was that no should succeed to the business. Ho did not believe in the preference of unionists clause. It was wrong that a conscientious Christian should oe out of employment because he did not join a union. If the Bible were cotrect, the system was wrong. Mr A. Collins-. This is the first time tho religious clement has been brought in. Tho chairman said they were not there to discuss religious questions. Mr Collins: He says it is against the teachings of the Bible, and it is n<M' Mr Smith, continuing his evidence, said, in reply to Mr Fisher, that he belonged to tho Employers’ Union. He did not object to the unions, hut to the preference system. He did not think the hours could be reduced in justice. Tho Wellington grocers had to compete with unfair Asiatic competition. Ho thought the scarcity of goad men in the trade was due to the lack of apprenticing. Ho did not believe any man could learn the business m six months. Robert A. Scott, representative ot the Wairarapa Farmers’ Co-operative Association, objected to a reduction ot hours. Twelve grocery hands were employed by his firm. He thought there was a certain classification in the business, but ho did not admit tho classification in tho union's demands. The term “traveller” was a misnomer. Mr Orr: Wo will withdraw that class in tho classification. Witness said ho would agree to throe classes if storemen and provision Hands were embodied. Tho wages in Wellington had been so low that parents would not put boys to the trade. If better wages ruled, they would get better educated boys than now. His firm carried out its own classification, and had a first and second counter hand. He objected to hampering employers by a set classification, and ho also objected to apprei ticing, because there was Dithculty in getting suitable boys. He did not believe in tho preference clause, but as tho union rules provided against dishonesty, the preference clause was Mrs objectionable than it would be otherwise. Thomas Borncsconi, grocer’s provision hand, thought a 49 hours week would ho sufficient, if all agreed to tho time. The witness expressed himself generally in favour- of the demands of the union. Nominally there was' classification in the Wellington shops. The Board adjourned at 5 p.in.