TARANAKI GROCERS' ASSISTANTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1916, Page 3

TARANAKI GROCERS' ASSISTANTS.

A COMPLETE SETTLEMENT. At a sitting of tlie Conciliation Court yesterday, under tlie presidency of the Commissioner, Mr. T. Harle Giles, tlie Taranaki Grocers' dispute was considered. The assessors for the emDloyera were Messrs C. Carter (New Ilymouthl, T. P. Hughson (Rahotu), and Wm. McDonald (Stratford), and for the. Union, J. McKenzie and .1. Lancaster (Wellington), and L. 11. Mortenson (Auckland) Mr. W. M. Falconer appeared as advocate for tlie employees. A full agreement has been arrived at. It provides that the hours of work are to be those provided by the Shops and Offices' Act. The minimum rate of wages for assistants and drivers of 22 years of age and upwards is to be :£2 17s Od per week, wages of youths ere on a graduated scale, 15 to Hi, 10s per week; l(i to 17 years. Ms; 17 to IS. ,-ei 2s (id; 18 to ]!), ,11 10s; 10 to ?0, £2; 20 to 21, £2 7s (id; 21 to 22, :!?2 12s fid. An assistant may act as ("river, or a driver as an assistant. The term driver is to include motor drivers. The proportion of boys or vouths shall be Ito .1 (or fraction of" 3). The employer is to be reckoned as an asJ'ctant, so long as he is substantially engaged in the work of the shop. Where any employer carries on the business of more than one shop, each shop shall be deemed to be a separate business. The UMial statutory holidays have been agreed upon, with the exception that local show day has been substituted for anniversary day. Casual labor is pro vided for under 18 years of age at Is per hour, over 18 hours, Is 5d per hour. The usual Court clause in relation to under-rate workers has been inserted. Preference is given in accordance wifli ;he Wellington Grocers' Award. The scope of the award is to extend to the whole of the Taranaki district. The time of coming into operation is left to the. court to decide, but it was definitely agreed that it should terminate on November 14, 1018, simultaneously with nil .other grocers' awards in the Dominion. At the close of the. proceedings, Mr. Win. McDonald, for the empoyers, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Commissioner for the great assistance he had rendered in bringing the dispute to a satisfactory settlement. This was seconded by Mr. Jas. MeKenzie. on behalf of the employees and carried uiianiiron si v.

Mr. Giles briefly returned thanks,