FEMALE WORKERS’ PAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17949, 29 November 1932, Page 3

FEMALE WORKERS’ PAY

APPLICATION TO COURT

PRIVATE HOTEL EMPLOYEES

Application was made to the Arbitration Court in Wellington, on Friday by the New Zealand Private Hotel Workers’ Union to fix wages for female workers. It was the first case of the kind under the amended Arbitration Act. In the ease of male workers both parties must agree before the matter can be taken to the Arbitration Court. Mr, J. Roberts, for the employees, said the court had power to fix wages for female employees, hut not the conditions. He. contended that many private hotelkeepers were willing to come to an agreement, but the association opposed any agreement. Mr. Roberts said that benefits under the old award regarding holidays and laundry, were lost lo the workers, and he asked the court lo fix a, higher rate tjian under the old award.

Mr. W. J. Mountjov, for the employers, quoted 16 industries, showing tlu* average earnings of women workers as £1 19s 6{d a,, week, and said that private hotel omploycors, allowing for board and lodging, were getting £2 Lis od a week. The industry could not pay those rates under existing conditions, and he submitted that a redaction of one-third should be made.

Mr. Mounljoy quoted from declare lions made by 25 private, hotelkeepers to show that from 1927 lo 1932 in one case the, tariff had been reduced by 19.4 per cent. ; guests had decreased from 7004 to 4847: and gross takings from £6054 m £3189. A profit of £714 was made in 1927 and a loss of, £396 in 1932 He proposed to submit 25 statements made on declaration as evidence. Mr. Roberts objected, saying that evidence should he given from the witness box and subject to cross-examination. Mr. Justice Frazer said the court had power lo accept declarations which would bo considered for what they were worth. The court had jvowor to fix wages with or without board and lodging. The court reserved its decision.