HOTEL WORKERS’ DISPUTE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10892, 5 March 1914, Page 7

HOTEL WORKERS’ DISPUTE.

Per Press Association,

Wellington, March 4.

In the hotel workers’ dispute in the Arbitration Court evidence of the workers was given regarding the long hours they worked, and the successful operation of the six days week in Sydney. Mr Beveridge, for the hotelkeepers, gave evidence that to award a sis days week would penalise Wellington hotels against every other port in New Zealand. Such a concession would cost the Grand Hotel alone the additional sum of £717 per annum to run. He handed in the balance sheet of the hotel on condition that it should be regarded as confidential.

Mr Carey, for the union, objected to this procedure and contended that the union had no opportunity of controverting it, and further, that the question of profit and loss in the industry should not be considered in fixing wages. The president ruled that he could not receive the balance sheet, but employers were entitled to show what the granting of demands would mean to them.

The hearing of the hotel workers’ dispute was completed bv the Arbitration Court. The employers asked for an award practically the same as that of 1910, which has been observed since the expiry. The employees’ counter claims included several amendments, the chief of which were a six day week, 38 hours for men and 53 for women. Decision was reserved.