I.—9a.

50

J. BABE, M.L.C.

agreement with the rest in their desire to have it struck out. But they consider that provision ought to be made for accumulating holidays that are due in the various race weeks. This must be done, or almost every hotelkeeper in Christchurch will be hauled up. There is scarcely a single hotelkeeper who cannot after each race week be hauled up for a breach of the Act. It is not workable. Let me illustrate: I may be asked to send five unionists along during these times, and I can only send two. Every corner of the house is filled with guests, and every employee is working "at top " with hardly a minute to spare, and great difficulty is found in getting away. Some employers manage to creep through it and give their employees the half-holiday, but others-cannot. What we want is that the holidays shall be worked off according to certain conditions that during four weeks in the year the half-holidays shall be worked, and the employees get a full day the following week. It has been done, I may state. In the case of permanent employees they should be allowed the full holiday, and in the case of casual employees they should be allowed extra remuneration for the half-holiday they cannot get. But the law must be guarded by the previous consent of the Inspector of factories under the Shops and Offices Act. We believe this would prove suitable not only to the employers but to the employees of Christchurch. There is no tipping nowadays at all worthy of the name, except during these particular race times. The thing is dying out, and I have evidence to this effect from members of the union. Where at one time a man might get £1 he does not get half a crown now. 6. Mr. Bollard. | That is not my experience?—lt is true there are exceptions, but I am pointing out what is the general rule. With regard to the other subsections of clause 7, while the proposal would be of convenience to all concerned, we cannot get a big crowd of employees to fill in these particular times. What we propose with regard to clause 7 is that "The usual half-holiday or whole holiday as aforesaid may, with the previous written consent of the Inspector of Factories, be worked according to the following conditions : («.) The usual weekly half-holiday or fortnightly whole holiday shall not be worked twice in succession, and not more than four half-holidays or whole holidays shall be worked in any one year, (b.) Every assistant working a full week without receiving a half-holiday, and on whose behalf a permit has been received to work on such halfholiday, shall on the next succeeding week receive a whole holiday, such whole holiday to be on the day set apart for the usual half-holiday, (c.) The provision contained in subsection (6) shall not apply to assistants employed as casual assistants and whose casual employment may extend beyond one week but less than two weeks. In such case where a half-holiday has not been granted the assistant shall receive, in addition to his or her usual wage, a sum equal to one shilling per hour for the five hours constituting a half-holiday, or an additional half-day's pay, whichever be the greater, (d.) Every night-porter or night-watchman working fourteen days without receiving a whole holiday according to the provisions of clause 6, and on whose behalf a permit to work on his usual holiday has been obtained, shall receive, in addition to his usual weekly wage, an additional day's pay, or one shilling per hour for every hour worked, whichever be the greater." It is true there may be some difficulty in one or two big houses in Wellington in giving the full holiday, but I am inclined to think that difficulty would be found to be more imaginary than real. We hope that in clause 8 provision will be made to have this notice put up where all assistants can see it, because we have dining-room people who are never in the kitchen for any length of time, and some employers put it up in the office, where employees have no right to be unless at very odd moments. There is just one other point I wish to refer to. We are of opinion that the question of wages should not come in, considering the present low standard. The wages for married and single assistants are as low as t\ a week according to the award, and where there is no award in existence the wages are as low as 155., and even lower. Therefore we submit the question of wages should not come in. I have to thank members of the Committee for having so patiently listened to me.

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