Groundsmen Or Gardeners?

Chronicle (Levin), 22 October 1949, Page 5

Groundsmen Or Gardeners?

WELLINGTON, Oct:> 21. * The application of the 'award and' the employment of youths in industry wero two of the main points for decision by Deputv Judge Dalglish in the Arbitration Court today when the New Zealand (except Otago and Southland) nurservmen 's and gardeners' dispute was heard. Mr J. R. Hanlon appeared on belialf of the members and eei'tain colleges seeking exemption from the award. Mr W. J. Kemp for the Canterbury Education Board as the governing bodv of the Shirley Intermediate School, and Mr P. Butler for the workers. Tn seeking exemption for certain schools both Mr Kemp and Mr. Hanlon snbmitted that in most cases the eraployees were groundsmen not gardeners . that the amount of gardening required at these schools varied and was a miuor consideration, and that their inclusion while also being teriyied vexatious could lead to a great deal of confusiou. Mr Butler claimed that his union was not interested in groundsmen or caretakers, but the position was that if schools employed gardeners as such then these men were entitled to be protected by the award. He said his union had voluntarily exempted some charitable institutions from the provisions of the award. Mr Butler also said it would be most disheartening to- his union in its endeavours to encoura^e apprentices to enter the, industry if the Court saw fit to maintain the youths1 clauses. The Court reserved its decision.