“MILK-OHS”’ HOURS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 181, 21 October 1927, Page 9

“MILK-OHS”’ HOURS

WORK NOT TO START BEFORE 3 A.M. MINISTER SUFFERS DEFEAT (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter\) WELLINGTON, To-day. The promise which the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Labour, made to the Wellington City Council to exclude milkmen from the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act was seriously questioned in the House of Represen- 1 tatives last evening. When starting hours were being discussed Air. J. S. Dickson. Parnell, moved an amendment to the Bill to provide that no assistant should start before 3 o’clock in the morning in the case of milkmen, 4 o’clock for butchers and bakers, and 7 o’clock in other cases. Mr. Anderson refused to accept this, and said that it was the result of a compromise between Auckland milk vendors and nearby farmers, but he was committed to the promise made to the Wellington City Council to exclude milkmen. Mr- R. AlcKeen, Wellington South, said that 3 o’clock for milkmen was of no use to the Wellington City Council; besides, Auckland milk vendors did not want the alteration. Air. Dickson pointed out that the Wellington City Council had broken the law, because they started at 2 o’clock, while in Auckland a start was made between 2 and 3 o’clock. In addition to that Auckland milk was delivered by private vendors to the extent of 36 gallons a man, whereas in Wellington each man delivered 80 gallons. Mr. P. Fraser, Wellington Central, complained that Mr. Anderson had given a promise to the Wellington City Council, an employing body, regardless of the wishes of the employees. He agreed that the scheme had been successful, but this did not justify the Alinister’s action in altering the law for the council’s benefit. If Auckland men were going to be compelled to start an hour earlier, they should be given a six-hour day week. If this could prove profitable in Wellington under municipal enterprise, it should be equally profitable under private enterprise in Auckland. He did not agree that Air. Anderson was justified in making any promise to the Wellington City Council. Air. Anderson explained that the City Council said it could not carry on its scheme unless it had this concession. Air. AI. J. Savage, Auckland West, suggested leaving the law as it stood at present, 4 o’clock, and making it apply to all concerned. Air. Anderson: Let it go to the vote. Air. Savage: That is all very well With big battalions you are ready for the vote. It seems that the Minister has made a promise and is going to use his big majority to force it through. Leave the law as it is, and if there are law-breakers in Auckland put the law on to them. Air. Fraser moved an amendment that 4 o’clock b« substituted for 3 o’clock. Air. Potter said that it was not the milk-vendor but Labour Parliamentarians who were raising protests. It was premature election propaganda. Auckland milk vendors wanted 3 o’clock. Air. Fraser’s amendment v. as defeated by 39 votes to 23, and he moved for a six-day week for milkmen. This was rejected by 47 to 35, and Air Dickson’s amendment carried on the voices.