DISPUTE HEARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24732, 8 October 1941, Page 6

DISPUTE HEARD

CONCILIATION COUNCIL UNUSUAL PROPOSAL REJECTED When the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr S. Ritchie) presided over a sitting of the council yesterday to consider a dispute between the Otago and Southland Hairdressers and Tobacconists’ Assistants' Union, an unusual proposal—that the meeting of the council should be adjourned until the world war was ended—was not successful. The union was represented by Mr D. Vorley. Mr W. W. Batchelor and Miss R, E. Fraser, and the representatives of the employers were Mr V. S. Jacobs, Mr G. Moody and Mr T. F. Anderson, with Mr F. C. Scrivener as agent.-

It was Mir Jacobs who moved “ that this meeting of the Conciliation Council be adjourned until the world war is ended.” He gave as his reasons that (1) While the Empire was fighting for its very existence it was impossible to discuss disputes such as this dispasionately. Furthermore, such disputes were calculated to disturb the good feeling existing between employer and, employee. (2) The council had stood adjourned for two years with inconvenience to no one and no valid reason could be advanced to justify the reopening of the dispute. (3) On account of the drain on man-power, returns had been adversely affected and the position would become progressively worse. Therefore, it would be reasonable for tobacconists and hairdressers to seek reduction in wages, (4) Any increase in the cost of living would be dealt with by a general order of the Arbitration Court. (5) The main purpose of this dispute was, in his opinion, to bring about, through an award of the Court of Arbitration, a compulsory Saturday half-holiday, but once adequate protection for the trade was provided against after-hour and Sunday trading, no objection would be made against this coming about by legislation.

“In a Weak Moment”

Mr Moody seconded the* motion, but it was opposed by Mr Batchelor. The employees had given way in a weak moment two years ago, he said, but they were then under the impression that prices as well as wages would be stabilised. In almost every award recently the rates of wages had been increased, and it was not correct to say that disputes disturbed relations between employees and employers. The commissioner said the employees had acted fairly in agreeing to an adjournment two years ago. At that time it was suggested that all awards should stay as they were for the duration. “ But,” said the commissioner, “no indication of that had been given in the Statutes or in the regulations. The Government has power to amend any award in any way it thinks fit, and there is provision for the employers to apply to an emergency council.” What was under discussion, he added, was the “ blanketing” of a dispute. The case could be withdrawn by the applicants, but if the employees application were withdrawn, the employers’ application still stood. The only question, Mr Moody said, was whether both sides would come to an agreement. First in 10 Years After further discussion, the commissioner said that he would accept the motion, although it was the first of this nature that he had experienced in 10 years. He doubted if it was in accordance with the law. In reply to a statement by Mr Jacobs that the Saturday half-holiday, which was the crux of. the dispute, would be dealt with by the.new Shops and Offices Act soon to be introduced, Mr Batchelor said that before his visit to Great Britain, the Prime Minister told him that he had given his word to the Opposition that no contentious legislation would be brought forward for the duration of the war. Mr Jacobs: This would not be contentious.

The commissioner voted against the motion on, the grounds that it was outside the business of the council to stop in«uch a manner proceedings that had gone the whole legal journey to that stage, and it was lost. A settlement all matters other than the wagf rate, the period of the annual holiday and the weekly hours of work. The union’s clhims provided for a 40-hour week, while the employers desired a week of 44 hours. These matters were referred to the Court of Arbitration.