“THE LAST STRAW’

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1921, Page 9

“THE LAST STRAW’

CONDITIONS TN SOFT GOODS TRADE. UNION DEMANDS INCREASED WAGES, Christchurch. August 8. Conditions in the soft goods and certain other trades were the subject of consideration in the Arbitration Court to-day, when the Canterbury Retail Shop Assistants’ Union made demands for a new award, asking for substantial increases in wages and improvements in conditions.

“It is the last straw which breaks the camel’s back,” said Mr/ F. Cooper, who opposed, the union's claims on behalf of the employers. “My responsibility to-day is to endeavor to show the court that these demands of the union are in danger of becoming the last straw. The employers’ contention is that the unipn, in its present application, whether successful or unsuccessful, is decidedly ill-advised in approaching the court for increases of wages and more restrictive conditions like this. I can confidently make the statement that there are very few, if any, adult workers, but must know that the conditions of the are materially worse than when the present award was made. Many of them know more than this, and that the position of the trade is such that if they are enabled to continue the present rates and conditions until the end of next April they will be doing remarkably well. The employers position is that but for the court’s pronouncement as to stabilising wages, an application would probably have been made for a reduction; in fact, it is felt by some that in spite of the court’s policy, an application should bo made for a revision of wages and conditions in the light of the present position. However, it is hoped that for the period named nothing very Aerious will occur, and as' it" is to the 'employers’ as well ‘as to the workers’ benefit that there should be no serious avoidable disturbance to trade and industry, the employers are prepared to do their best to avoid it. To do it effectually wiR require the co-operation of their staffs, and it is their hope to maintain the present position. Should, however, the court decide to depart from its policy in this case and grant increases, then it must occur that many employers will have to let go, and the result will be that some employees will benefit by increases whilst many will sutler by loss of employment. I plane this view before the court in al) seriousness, not by any means as a threat, but as the mature opinion of those conversant with the position.” Mr. R. D. Martin, who appeared for the union, said that the drapery trade could not be said to be slack at the present time, and not one draper's assistant was out of work, while there were hundreds of men formerly employed by other industries out of employment.

Mr. Cooper: You will .admit that.they are making extraordinary efforts to keep them on?

Mr. Martin: We admit that they are having sales which are bringing in a large amount of business and helping tho employers to get rid of large surplus stocks on which they had fabulous prices. I deny generally‘that, the'drapery business is being conducted at a ibss to-day, the bulk of the goods being sold at a considerable profit.