ANOMALIES DISCUSSED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12755, 26 September 1919, Page 5

ANOMALIES DISCUSSED.

SHOP ASSISTANTS’ AWARD. SECRETARY’S REPORT. A special meeting of the retail shop assistants of all trades was held at the • iT.M.C.A. rooms last evening, when the secretary (Mr R. D Martin) - reported in regard to the new award and the Court’s decision as to hours, and reported also on the early closing cs in- : paign. Mr C. Bames (president of the Grocers’ Union) presided over ah attendance which included retail' chemists’ assistants, clerks, cashiers and office employees, and grocers’, • hairdressers’ and butchers’ employees. . In presenting a lengthy; detailed report, Mr Martin said that while the bulk of what he had to say would rioj concern the general public there was one point he would like the newspapers to take particular notice of. It had reference to married women in the drapery trade. It was, he .said, a fact that the majority of the best positions were held in the drapery trade by married women, whcse husbands were also holding good positions. This was a vicious system that should not be permitted. The system was also against the single women. In one instance a husband was earning £8 a week as head of a department, while his wife was earning £4 10s a week hi another department. Mr Martin quoted other instances. The speaker was sorry that phase of matters could not be dealt with in ,the award. "While the state of things existed’by vyhicb husband and wife were earning,money, as he had stated, it was a fact also that returned soldiers . were /walking about looking for situations. Touching on the question of shop assistants, Mr Martin said he bad sent a telegram to the Prime’ Minister inquiring whether the Shop Assistant** Bill would be Drought before Parliament this session, the effect . of - the legislation being to compulsorily, close all shops-at certain hours and periods. The Arbitration Court had agreed to the principle or early closing, but in a memorandum to the award it had stated that the matter of closing wiw subject to the passing of the Shop Assistants’ Act. The Prime Minister had sent the following reply:—“ Telegram received. If time will permit, will endeavour to have your proposals considered by Cabinet before the end of the session. The fixing of hours of employment was largely in the hands of employers and assistants themselves, .as the majority or shopkeepers in any trade may fix dosing hours; and, further, the union and employers may apply to the. Conciliation Council for an award relating to hours of employment.. I am writing.” Mr Martin said it was evident that the Government intended to evade the question. It was ridiculous to suggest tha" the union and employers could set tie the matter, when attempts had been made, as the Prime Minister was well aware, and ended in failure. Members of the association must become active and adopt some such measures aa the returned soldiers had done recently in Wellington, namely, bombard the Government; otherwise the Shop Assistants Bill would certainlv be dropped. Three firms in ChristcWrch were blocking this 5.30 p-m, dosing proposal, and the time might come when the association'TVould name those firms. Speaking on the position of clerks, Sir Martin said that the abominable rates of pay to servants made by many commercial firms of Christchurch was a disgrace to the city, and that matter would he fought in due course. It was. not intended to displace women, hut to urge equal pay for equal work, and endeavour to prevent angle women being handicapped owing to women being employed in positions whose husbands were earning quite, sufficient to keep them. , , ' - . Mr Martin was warmly applauded for his explanation, and subsequently ,h$ answered a number of .questions. ' ■ The Prime Minister’s telegram caused much amusement. It was proposed that the Prime Minister should be thanked for his reply! and be invited to come to Christchurch and explain himself. This, however, .‘was withdrawn in favour of a motion that the matter, of reply should be placed in the hands of the secretary.: such reply to embody a strong and emphatic protest regarding the Prime Minister’s lack bt knowledge of local conditions, especially in regard to questions referred to him. ■ . ■