WICKER WORKERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 82, 4 October 1938, Page 13

WICKER WORKERS

BACKYARD INDUSTRY

LEGISLATION DESIRED

Legislative action is to be sought against "backyard" wickerwork manufacturers—independent operators not covered by the award affecting the industry—by both the employers and the union concerned. A combined meeting will be held in Wellington after the elections and subsequently the Minister of Labour will be approached. . When the wickerworkers' dispute was being considered in conciliation council today it was stated that there were many evasions of the award, the position being particularly bad in Canterbury. Mr. T. Hyde (Christchurch), employers' agent, said that the last award had played into the hands of the "backyarders." , These had cut into the trade. One firm in Christchurch had disposed of all its staff and in this case the award was retarding the industry. Some firms were letting out the work and in one case the award had been evaded by a partnership. He suggested that a deputation from the council should approach the Minister with a ,view to Dominion action. Mr. F. Corn well workers' agent, said that the Federation of Labour was quite prepared to co-operate with the employers. The difficulty applied to several trades. He considered that the wickerworker employers had made a very good move in limiting apprentices to one to two journeymen. The Commissioner commented that "back-yarding" was the effect of the 40-hour week with a number of tradesmen. Mr. F. D. Adams (Christchurch), workers' assessor, said he had personally been affected. His employer had dismissed his staff and started buying from back-yarders. Mr. Hyde said.the industry was in such a position that he was afraid the large employers might follow the lead set in letting out work to "back-yard-ers." The problem was a very serious one. Mr. J. Ferguson (Wellington) said that representations had been made to have the Australian legislation, which covered the position, adopted in New Zealand. They had attempted to have a place where one person was engaged termed a factory: They had gone further and had asked for the issue of permits for overtime. The difficulty of meeting cases such as one in Christchurch where the employer had entered into a partnership with his three employees after the making of the award was stressed. Mr. A. W. Nisbet stated that the Court had upheld the partnership agreement. Mr. L. Stewart -(Petone) said that the back-yarder was able to produce an article 3s or 4s cheaper and, besides, did not have to charge sales tax. Mr. C. Sanders (Auckland), workers' assessor, said that the Act in New South Wales was operating to the satisi faction of the employers.