Trades and the Workers

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 13

Trades and the Workers

Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Spi Curriers Fellmongers Saddlers Painters Storemen Gas Employees Plumbers Labour Representation Committee .. ARBITRATION COURT SITTINGS BEGIN OCTOBER 3 The Arbitration Court is scheduled to begin its Auckland sittings on October 3. Not much business is set down yet as the date is far off. A special meeting of the Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Union will be held in the Trades Hall this evening. The reason, it is understood, is an internal hitch on account of which a section has asked for a special meeting of the union. *♦ ' * Painters are holding their quarterly meeting on Monday evening. Mr. H. Campbell, secretary of the union, reports trade showing, if anything, a

BY BOXWOOD

UNION MEETINGS DUE

cial To-night. Sept. 0 Sept. 10 Sept. 12 Sept. 13 .Sept. 14 Sept. 14 Sept. 14 slight improvement. The greatest hope of the painting trade lies in some fine weather. The Grey Lynn branch of the Labour Party had as a guest on Monday evening Mr. H. G. R. Mason, M.P., who gave an interesting summary of the work done by the party in the House during the present session. Mr. A. S. Richards addressed the branch on the socialisation of industry. A visitor from overseas, Mr. F. W. Kitching, Under-Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and Industry in New South Wales, arrived by the Ulimax-oa early this week. Pie has gone to Rotorua and will return on Saturday to meet the Niagara, in which he will return to Sydney with his chief, the Hon. PI. M. Baddeley, who has been abroad for some time.

Labourers’ Conference. —Remits artin the air for the consideration of the first conference of the New Zealand Federation of General Labourers, which will meet in Auckland on October lu and following days. The federation was formed only last February. One of the first objects is to formulate uniform demands in disputes and to gain the advantage of that strength that comes from unity throughout the Dominion. About 20 delegates are expected from the various provinces. The conference will be held in the Trades Hall.

Biscuit Workers’ Award.—To-day the Arbitration Court is hearing in Wellington the newly-formed Biscuit Factory Workers’ claim for a Dominion award. No agreement on the material points was reached in conciliation. The 44-hour week was one of the stLimbling blocks in i he first instance, though in view of the fact that some of the Christchurch factories are operating on that arrangement, it is difficult to see how the claim can be resisted at arbitration. Mr. M. W. Herbert and Mr. J. Purtell are representing the federation. Mr. Purtell will probably return to Auckland on Friday., W'ould Never Go Down.—The employers’ move to have the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act altered to permit the employment of women in restaurants until 11 o’clock in place of the present provision of 10.30 p.m., has

been countered by the employees offe ing evidence before the Labour Bil Committee in fsivour of 9 o'clock. Stror representations are being mat against the 11 o’clock proposal, and seems almost certain that whatev. provision the amended Act will contai it will not be for 11 o’clock emnlovmer Such would be a return to 'the dai ages of labour, and would not be tole ated by public opinion.

Private Hotel Award.—The recent sitting of the Arbitration Court in Wellington saw the new private hotel workers’ dispute argued, and an award is now taking form and may be out in a few days. Taking all things into consideration lit is probable that the workers will net be disappointed if thev take an optimistic outlook. It may be expected that a small weekly rise in wage rates of Is 6d for females and 2s 6d for male workers will be embodied in tlie award with the additional advantage that the award can be applied to private hotels having accommodation for a lesser number than the present stipulation of 20 boarders.

The employers are making a bold bid to have the early starting hour for milkmen incorporated in the amended Shops and Offices Act. The Auckland Lnion has proposed a six-day week of 44 hours arid strenuously opposed the three o’clock start being incorporated. Before the Labour Bills Committee the Auckland representatives pointed out that to make the three o’clock start statutory would necessitate men getting up at two o’clock ir the morning One of the questions hurled at the witnesses was, “What does it matter when they start so long as they only work the same hours.” But of course it does matter, arid even Ministers of the Crown should realise that. The statutory 3 a.m. start should at least be compensated by a six-day week. The hours and duties of milkmen entail serious disadvantages, and that some relief must be obtained from the sevenday week at £4 6s is a rig-ht that snould be patent to ail.

Getting Things Done.—Wigs are on §. reen 111 e\v South Wales, where the first shots have been fired in the general election campaign. Premier -L- Bang in his policy speech at Lid com be a week ago outlined as parts l 7r °B' r am.me the maintenance of the 44-hour week, unemployment insurance, extension and increase of the family endowment, and advanced housing schemes. Industrial legislation which has been a noteworthy activity of the Lang regime, will be pushed forward to extend the Workers’ Compensation A.ct and to advance factorv workers’ conditions, especially for