HOURS AND WAGES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19123, 18 September 1936, Page 5

HOURS AND WAGES

LEGISLATIVE ANOMALY CLAIMS i.»V EMPLOYERS Representations continue to he made to the Government not only by associations, of -employers but also, by industrial unions pointing out that the provisions of, the recent industrial legislation respecting hours of work and payment of wages in no way affect the occupiers of shops or owners of businesses who employ no labour or little labour. It is considered that a situation has been created that gives a, big advantage "to such owners of businesses over the large employers of labour. In response to • a -request by chain grocery store and departmental concerns in Auckland, which, claim to employ 1200 workers, the Prime .Minister, the Hi. lion. ,M. J. Savage, lias promised to go into the question of fixing the closing and opening hours of shops. The assistants are on a 44-houv week, and it is; claimed that independent grocers employing little or no labour enjoy a big advantage, in extended shop hours.

The Master Carriers’ section of the Auckland Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Association has sought the assistance of the .Minister ,of Transport, tho Hon. R. Semple, in dealing with competition, ot owner-driver curriers who work extended hours. Associations of iron masters and electrical wholesale traders have, also made representations lo Ihe Government, on the competition they are hieing in their trades by men who employ no labour.

The Auckland Electrical Tradbs (wholesale) Association has also asked the 'Auckland Power Board to observe the intention of the legislation which it is assured will 1 bo brought into operation to deal with the problem, it has suggested to the hoard that it- should make it a condtion of a contract that tire work must lie carried out in accordance with the terms and'conditions of tin; electrical workers’ award, and in the event of a contractor or proprietor employing no workers, the board should require that the hours of work should be limited to 40 a week on fivo days of the week and that the price should be based on award rates of remuneration.

The association lifts pointed out that a business employing no labour may consist of partners who escape the wage and hours handicap imposed on employers by the industrial legislation. ,