MOVING PICTURE WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 174, 24 July 1936, Page 9

MOVING PICTURE WORK

HEARING OF DISPUTE EMPLOYERS NOT READY I WORKERS OPPOSE POSTPONE- . I MENT. I ACTION OF COMMISSIONER. [Per Preus Association! WELLINGTON, July 23. A strong protest against the postponement of the hearing of the dispute between the New Zealand Federated Motion Picture Projectionists’ Industrial Association of Workers and the J. C. Williamson Picture Corporation, Ltd., and others, was made by the Projectionists’ Association in Conciliation Council to-day. The employees’ assessors refused to accept a | postponement and formed themselves into a deputation to approach the Minister of Labour with a view to conciliation, the Commissioner, Mr. M. J. Reardon, exercising his rights under a clause in the I.C. and A. Act. The clause states that unless the respondents recommend the required number of qualified persons as assessors at least three clear days before the day appointed for the hearing of a dispute, the Commissioner may forthwith, on behalf of the respondents, appoint such number of qualified persons as is necessary to supply the full number of assessors required. The secretary of the association, Mr. L. E. Read, said that it seemed as if no effort was being made by the employers to assist the association and the workers had been penalised all over the country. He asked the Commissioner to enforce his powers under the Act. and appoint assessors. Mr. W. J. Mountjoy, agent for the employers, read a letter to the Commissioner in which he protested at what he termed the unreasonable attitude of the association and its lack of courtesy in not ascertaining whether the date of the hearing would be suitable to the employers. He explained that he could not proceed. as he was encaged in the Arbitration Court. The employers, he said, had not had enough time to frame counter-claims. There were only 18 days between the receipt of the workers’ claims and the date of the hearing. There was no desire on the part of the employers to hamper the employees from obtaining fair wages and hours. After further discussion the Commissioner informed Mr. Read that he would r.ot send the case to the Arbitration Court by default. Mr. Read replied that If the hearing were postponed he would take the matter up with the authorities.