EMPLOYERS’ INTERESTS

Wairarapa Age, 24 May 1928, Page 4

EMPLOYERS’ INTERESTS

WAIRARAPA ASSOCIATION’S . ANNUAL REPORT. 1 WORK OF THE YEAR REVIEWED; MANY MATTERS CONSIDERED, The annual report of the Wairarapa Employers’ Association (incorporated), for tho year ended Mare): 31, 1925, states, inter alia, that during the year ten meetings of the executive were hold also five meetings of sub committees and eight meetings of the drapers and boot retailers’ section. HOLIDAYS COMMITTEE. This committee was set up to act for tho body of employers in the matter of special holidays and lias functioned on several occasions. It is hoped that the members will attend tho annual meet- *■ ing as the holiday problem is likely to < be discussed as an amicable agreement in such matters is essential to the business community.

MEMBERSHIP. The membership, ineluding The drapers and boot retailers’ section is 67 compared with 70 last year. A proper canvass has not been made north of Masterton as was arranged, owing to the serisus illness of Mr. Can:p, assist-ant-secretary to the N.Z. Employers’ Federation, Wellington. There are a number of employers who have not yet been induced to join. Some arc members of organisations affiliated to the New Zealand Employers’ Federation and are paying their subscriptions direct to the Wellington Association. It is the intention of the executive to recommend a further canvass of the district this winter. APPRENTICESHIP. This question is still causing anxiety both to the employers and parents. The number of boys offering for trades is far in excess of the number allowed by the court, and in some cases the wages set for boys is more than the trade can stand, especially in the watchmaker’s business, where very often a boy will de as much damage in a week as his weekly wage will amount to. Representations were made to the Government supporting the proposal that a petrol tax would be a fair method of dealing with motor traffic. MILITARY TRAINING OF APPRENTICES.

Representations have been made to the Government but no relief has yet been granted. The position as present is:—'(I) Military training is compulsory; all boys of certain ages must attend camps each year. (2) Employers must give their boys leave of absence to attend camps. (3) Boys while in camp are paid 4s. a day by the Defence Department. (4) Employers are compelled to pay the wages of all apprentices and all other workers under 18 years of age while they arc absent attending camp. We consider the payment for defence purposes should be distributed over all tax-payers, and not only be paid by the person employing labour. The State Departments pay their employees only the difference between the military and civil wages so they recognise the principle of affording relief to themselves. For this matter alone it is worth while becoming a member of the association so as to pursue the representations further. ARBITRATION COURT. This has been discussed at a number of meetings, various suggestions having been made, and the. present time a conference of various interests has been called by the Government to discuss the whole position, when it is believed something superior to the present system will be devised. The executive desires to thank memoers, both in town and country, for their loyal support and interest during the year and sincerely trusts that all concerned will take still keener interest m the association in the future. This association will in time become an important factor in the Wairarapa district, and the employers look to it for information and support, and the association in turn looks to the enipiovers tor financial and practical support to assist it xn assisting them. Luring iho year the president (Mr. J. C:isclber<G found it necessary to resign the position and appreciation of Ms services has been recorded in the minutes of the association. The executive also desires to thank the local Inspector of the Labour Department (Mr. Hanlon) for his assistance in interpreting the various awards during the year.—For the executive, J. H. Handyside and J. W. Kershaw, vice-presidents.