THE GROCERY TRADE
HOURS OF WORK. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 3. Reference to the question of competition from chain-stores and the employment of boy labour was made in the Arbitration Court to-day during the hearing of the Wellington grocers’ award dispute. At the end of the day’s hearing the dispute was adjourned to the end of November. Henry Wardell, giving evidence in support of the claims of the Wellington Master Grocers’ Union, said that large grocers did not object to small suburban grocers having a more generous supply of juniors, but the position was quite different in regard to chain-stores. John Redmond, manager of the Wellington branch of‘the Wairarapa Farmers’ Co-operative Association, said the time had arrived when the great amount of boy labour allowed was undermining business, and his company thought the time had come when some different arrangement must be made. J. F. Turnbull, a master grocer, contended that all overtime should be paid for and competitors placed on the same basis. . ■< H. F. M. Barley gave instances of what he alleged to be working after hours in certain chain-stores. He was not afraid of competition from chain-stores, he said, so long as the competition was fair. He contended that the present competition was not fair. He objected to the system under which managers of shops could work overtime without pay. “Since the drain-store organisations commenced business in Wellington your business has fallen off seriously?” inquired Mr W. J. Mountjoy, who represented the proprietors of the chain-stores. Witness: Yes. Mr Mountjoy : How do you account for that ? Witness: If these men work overtime. Mr Mountjoy: Is not this the reason, that these organisations are selling goods cheaper than you do? Witness: If they can get their labour for nothing, or very little, they possibly can. Mr Mountjoy: Your definition of unfair competition is cutting of prices? Witness: No; unfair competition is men working on Sunday and overtime. If chain-stores keep the award, they can have as many shops as they like.
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Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 263, 4 October 1933, Page 8
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334THE GROCERY TRADE Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 263, 4 October 1933, Page 8
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