DAIRY FACTORIES ALLEGED COEROION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1762, 31 May 1906, Page 3

DAIRY FACTORIES

ALLEGED COEROION.

l(P*e Peesa Aaioclation.} ' Wellington, Monday. The Becretary of tho Wharf Labourers’ Union has reoeived a copy of a petition which is being sent round by the secretary of the N«w Z?aland Butter and Cheese Makers’ Union to tbe various dairy companies for signature by their employees, The petition prays for exemption from the oporation of tbe Conciliation and Arbitration Act on tbe ground that it would cause a large numoer of the smaller creameries to be clo’od, and others to be olosed for a looger perior in winter, throwing many people out of employment. It is set out that no hardship has been occasioned by the exemption of dairy factories from the operation of tho Factories Act, and that owing lo the nature of tho dairy business it is vital to suooess and even tbe existence of the industry that it Bbould be exempt from ths Arbitration Aot ; that owing to tbe nature of the business the long hours employers are required to work for a few months in the flush of the season are counterbalanced by the shorter hours and lights service during the remainder of the year In connection with this petition, it is alleged that it has been circu'a'ed through the managers of the various fdo’.oiiap, who in most cases signed it and banded it to the meD, who, owing to the slackness of the season, and out of fear of going on the “ blackboard,” in most cases signed it very muoh egainst their will; that men who wero actually dismissed for three months during the winter because the. creomerios were oles d down bod been made to s’gn tbe petition. It is stated that dairy factories’ employees average from tho middle of October to the middle of April 81 hours a week, for which they are paid from JQ2 to JE2 10s, holidays suoh as Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Boxing Day, and Good Friday being included in tbo working days. For about three months in the year they avorßgo from 60 to 70 hours per work, and fjr tbe remaining three months 35 hours wo.k'y ; but tbero aro many cases where non are only paid half pay duriDg these three months, and when creameries aro closed down men do not reoeivo any pay at a:l The matter will bo brought undor the notice of the Premier on bis return to tbe colony.