SHORTAGE OF BAKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25829, 27 April 1945, Page 2

SHORTAGE OF BAKERS

INDUSTRIAL MAN-POWER APPEALS Representatives from two bakery firms, both of which urgently required the services of another baker, appeared before the Industrial Man-power Appeal Committee yesterday, both desiring to employ W. Booth, a baker. An appeal was lodged by Messrs William Wright and Co., Ltd., against refusal of permission to engage the services of Booth. Mr A. T. Robertson, secretary of the appellant Arm, told the committee that, although to-day the output of bread was greater than in 1943, the staff was not so large. Since 1943 the bakers had not had their annual holidays and were working a 51-hour week. They were almost at “ the end of their tether.” The average output, he added, was 11,500 loaves a week. Representing J. G. Laurenson and Son, Ltd., to whom Booth had been directed by the man-power officer, Mr G. A. Laurenson said that for eight months the firm had been short of a baker. The present staff consisted of nine bakers, two apprentices, and three labourers. A baker had received notice to proceed to camp, but twice his mobilisation had . been cancelled owing to the acute position. The average output was 19,500 loaves a week, and this would be reduced if a baker was lost. The general position regarding bakers was very serious, Mr Laurenson said, and it was the same throughout New Zealand. The committee—Messrs M. W. Grantham (chairman), A. Mcßae,-and H. H. Gillard—allowed the appeal. Other Applications

The Union Bank of Australia, Ltd., appealed against a direction that Miss Iris E. J. Munro, a junior clerk, should accept emnioyment at the Rosiyn Woollen Mills.—The manager (Mr P. Newton), in outlining the staff shortage, said that 48 girls were employed in the six banks. .Seven had been called up, and of those seven, three had been taken from the appellant bank. Since Miss Munro had been directed, another girl had received notice to report to the National Service Department for an interview. Two other girls had decided to volunteer for the New Zealand W.R.N.S. None of the staff had been able to take annual holidays this year ,and there were 17 weeks of arrears last year.— The appeal was disallowed. On the grounds of undue hardship, Mooney’s (N.Z.), Ltd. (Mr Mark Hanau), appealed against a direction that Miss E. J. Towler, a machinist, should accept employment at the Rosiyn Woollen Mills.—The appeal was disallowed.

Mr S. C. Gasper appealed against a direction that Miss Evelyn May Gasper, at. present employed at Seedco Florists, should accept employment at the Rosiyn Woollen Mills.—Decision of the appeal, which was based on domestic grounds, was reserved. Decision of an appeal by H. Williamson against a direction to employment with the Fletcher Construction Company, Ltd., was reserved.