AUCKLAND MILK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 45, 16 November 1940, Page 8

AUCKLAND MILK

Starting Hour Of Work

For Roundsmen

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

Statements made by the chairman of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council, Mr. 1. J. Goldstine. on the question of the starting hour of work for milk roundsmen, were referred to last, evening by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb. The Minister said that, as stated by Nir. Goldstine, be wrote to him (the Minister) in September last asking that the starting hour for roundsmen should be lixed at 1 a.m. instead of 3 a. tn., as prescribed by the Shops and Offices Act, and he was informed that this application would receive full consideration. ‘■On October 14 a similar application was received by me from a number of milk vendors in the metropolitan area, who were advised on October 31 that, following an application for a new award, the question of the starting hour for milk roundsmen was a matter then before the Court of Arbitration, and that in those circumstances it would hardly be proper for me to make any alteration at that juncture,” said Mr. Webb. "At the end of last month the Court issued its award providing that the starting hour should be in accordance with the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act, which fixes the earliest hour for the commencement of employment of milk roundsmen at 3 a.m., subject to the right of the Minister to authorize an earlier starting hour. "As a result of the inquiries made by me, I found that there was no unanimity among the parties (the milk council, the vendors and the workers’ union) in regard to ah earlier starting hour than 3 a.'m., and every endeavour has been made by me since the award was. issued to bring about some harmony. Last week Mr. C. L. Hunter, liaison officer, discussed the position with the parties concerned, including the milk council, but his efforts to find some common ground were fruitless.

“In view of the diversity of opinions held by the parties, it appears to me the proper method of approach in regard to the matter is, first, to endeavour to find some common basis for a settlement of the differences between the parties. With this object in view, I am prepared to arrange forthwith for a conference between the parties concerned, and I have forwarded a communication to the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council to this effect.”