OIL STORE WORKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22609, 28 June 1935, Page 9

OIL STORE WORKERS

INCREASED WAGES SOUGHT RE-SELLERS SAID TO REAP PROFITS. (Peb United Pbess Association) WELLINGTON, June 27. The oil store; workers are seeking an improvement in wages and conditions. The Conciliation Council met to-day, the parties being the New Zealand Federated Storemen and Packers and the Warehouse Employees' Industrial Association, and the Shell Company of New Zealand and others. Mr Miller, agent for the applicants, said it was true that trade had slumped owing to heavy taxation, but the selling price had gone up 2d a which, on an increase of importations from 54,464,568 gallons to 67,604,725 gallons for the year ended March 31 last, meant an increase of £500,000. Mr Mount joy, for the employers, said the conditions of the workers in oil stores were better than in other stores of a similar kind. Although there had been an increase in motor importations and registrations, less petrol was being used. There had been a craze throughout the country to cut down petrol consumption. Lighter cars and lorries, etc., were being used more, than ever before. It was not the companies, but the re-sellers, who were benefiting by the recently increased prices. . Such matters as tariff and taxation should not affect the present issue.