WAGES ANG CONTRACTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 81, 3 April 1908, Page 2

WAGES ANG CONTRACTS.

DB.URY EMPLOYER'S POSITION. ME. NORTHCROFT'S STATr_MENTS. Much interest is being taken locally in the case of Mr. W. Dixon, of Drury, who (as staled in last evening's- issue) has been committed on a two months' term to Mount Eden Prison for refusal to comply with an order issued for £21 in the "Magistrate's Court, at Papakura, in connection with the claim of an e_employee for an extra 3/ per day in wages during his term of employment with the defendant. On being interviewed by a, '"Star" representative at Onehunga to-day, Mr. Norlbcroft, S.M. stated that'the facta of the case, as nearly as he could remember, were as follows:—Mi. Dixon took into his employ a man at wages contrary to the award of the Arbitration Court. The employee subsequently sued for the difference, and was represented by Mr. Skelton. There had been a precedent to this case in that of a printer at Pahiatua, who, a few year 3 ago, having been employed for less than the minimurj wage, sued for £200, judgment being entered for this amount. Mr. Dixon had appeared to consider the contract as one between roan and man, and one which no law could upset. He bad given notice of appeal to Mr. Northcroft, but, after consultation with his solicitor, abandoned the proposal, stating that he would go to gaol before he would pay. When the case came up, he (Mr. Nortncroft) had no option but to deal with it in terms of the award.