THE LABOUR WOULD.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1924, Page 2

THE LABOUR WOULD.

SHOP ASSISTANTS’ DEMAND. '" r * liY T HI, ECU Al-11 —l*ll ESS ASSN., COl’YltlOllT. WELLINGTON. .March 1. The Dominion industrial dispute concerning shop assistants was advanced a further stage to-day when arguments from both sides were heard by the Arbitration Court. A plica lion is made by the employees for a Dominion award, covering the Auckland. Wellington, Nelson. Otago and Canterbury Industrial districts. !n opening for the workers. Mr CYoskery said the Conciliation Council had beer, unable to decide on the number of clauses in view of the drastic changes made by the Court on the last occasion, and further changes wore asked for by the employers. On this occasion lie asked at the outset that the Court should not base the new award upon the Christchurch agreement, which he characterised a* a, disgrace.

Mr Hammond resented the remark, claiming that the agreement was just in every particular. The employers’ ease he said would lie based mi that agreement. Air .Justice Fraser pointed out that the Court laid added a memorandum to the Christchurch award, stating it was not to b otaken as a precedent in other disputes. Air Crosk-ery said ihc employees desired that the departmental manageresses should receive extra remuneration according to the extra responsibility entailed. 11l support of his claim that porters should again lie provided for in the * shop assistants award, he called three witnesses to show the wages received by such workers at present, and the bonuses and deductions they had been subjected to since tliev were previously included in tbo award. Regarding the wages claims, the Union advocate submitted a graduated seale for the managers and manageresses according to responsibility. \Ninihnv dressers’ wages were based upon those of departmental managers, as pmvid.-d in the last award. Provision whs sought making it clear that a. worker should not suffer in comparison with another of the same period of service Through a transfer to another dr pertinent. Th ■ .fudge gave an assurance that the clause affected would not be interpreted ia such a. manner. HOTEL WORKERS’ AWARD. WELLINGTON. March 4. A Dominion award was made by the Arbitration Court to-day. covering the -■ conditions of employment of the licensed hotel workers of New Zealand. The matter had previously been considered in the Conciliation Council, and a fid! agreement was arrived at on all points, there remaining only the formal work of i l "' award by the Arbitration Court.