SHORTER WEEK.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 297, 30 November 1936, Page 6

SHORTER WEEK.

Christchurch Wholesale Druggists.

Press’ A.9^Odiatibn—Copyright

Wellington, To-day.

An application to amend the Christchurch wholesale drug merchants’ employees’ award so as to provide for a 40-hoiir week, worked on five days, was made in the Court of Arbitration in Wellington last week. It was stated the existing award provided for 44 hours a week worked on six days. The court reserved its decision.. . . . Mr. Justice Page presided, and with, him were Mr. W. Cecil Prime (employers’ assessor) and Mr. A. L. Monteith, (workers’ assessor). The employers werq represented by' Mr. H. J., Bishop, and the workers’ advocaite was Mr. J. S. Barnett (Christchurch).

It was stated by Mr- Bishop that six parties to the award, W’hich was -for a five-mile radius of Christchurch. Two employers were in agreement with the application, another was to fall in with the majority, andjwo of the others were opposed to any shortening of the working week.

Evidence was called in support of the employers’ contention that the closing, of ; wholesale, drug warehouses w'ould seriously interfere with the essential services to the public.