STATEMENT DENIED

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 459, 17 June 1937, Page 5

STATEMENT DENIED

DISMISSAL OF BUSINESS GIRLS Shortage Of Capable Assistants Press Association —Copyright. Auckland, June 16. The difficulty of securing capable assistants vrtas mentioned by a number of large employers of female labour when the suggestion made by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, Ithat many firms were dismissing girls on their reaching the age of 21 to lavoid paying them the basic wage was referred to them. In every case the managers of large establishments said thalt there was no foundation .for the Minister’s statement as it was in the interests of a business to retain competent girls, as it was becoming increasingly difficult Ito replace them. It was admitted that it was necessary in some cases to dispense with the services of girls who tailed to show the necessary aptitude, but only after it had been demonstrated that efforts to train them to the desired state of efficiency had failed. Mr J. C. Howard, acing-secretary of -the Auckland Employers’ Association, and the Drapery, Clothiers’ and Boclt Retailers’ Association, pointed out that the basic wage did not come into the question las many of the workers were receiving the equivalent of 'the basic rate a year before they came of age. Far from employers trying to defeat the Government’s legislation, they were constantly seeking to find- ways to comply with it. He knew from his contact with employers in both city and country districts that employers were willing to pay above ruling rates to get competent saleswomen, but in too many instances they were not available.