BUTCHERS' DISPUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLV, Issue 10431, 8 November 1919, Page 7

BUTCHERS' DISPUTE

CONSIDERATION BEFOKE CONCILIA- | TION COMMISSIONER. Before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr W. Newton) yesterday the dispute between the Wellington Operative Butchers' Union and tho master butchers came up for consideration. The following woro assessors : —Union: Messrs R. . Breon, A. Ncedham, J. Eobertson. ' Employer*: Messrs E. Barber, iA: Checsinan, W. Morgan. Mr Qrenfell appeared as ageut for (.he employers. The first question dealt ivith was that of hours, and there was otrong opposition on tho part of the employers -to establishing a fixed starting hour At present the hour* came undei tho Shops and Offices Act, and butchers fan be called on to work 52 hours per week. Under the proposals of the union •x week's work is not to exceed 4"i hours, and on five days a -week the hours are to bo from. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with hours each day for dinner. On Saturday the hours proposed are from 7 a.m. t« 12 •toon. In regard to the proposal to fix-the hour of starting, Mr Grenfell suggested that tho union should appeal ' to. the Tjecislature for an alteration in the hours, in which case the public would %in able to blame Parliament for any inoonvenioncß they mijiht sufier. If there A - ns anv abuse under the present fi.r«teni. v .ho emnloyers were prepared to remedy **- , ... „..,...'. Mr A. Needham oointed out: .that.other districts in Tsew Zealand had fixod the time of starting without injuring the business. Mr Barber contended that tho conditions were different in AVallington nwinir to the large floating population. The statement was made by another member of tho council that small butchers wore generally in favour of starting at 7 a.m., but it was admitted that the conditions woro not the same for the large, firms. ' " " • -' "** " ... The sitting continued all day. and the matter will he further considered on November lSth. In the meantime the Conciliation Commissioner will tear argument in the butchers' dispute in Napier, Palmerston North, and Masterton.