PATRIOTIC MATTRESS MAKERS

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 66, 18 March 1915, Page 6

PATRIOTIC MATTRESS MAKERS

THE CASES WITHDRAWN". The casee were called against George Hart* mattreee-tnaker, .for having worked his employees longer hours than permitted by law. Air. R. 6inger, «t a previous sitting, entered a formal pie* of a technical breach of the award in each instance. At the laet hearing it "was explained that all hande worked willingly, and were paid fall overtime, ac the mattresses were required for fitting out a. troopship. Mr. Kettle then euggeeted tbe adrisabiltty of the cases being withdrawn, and an adjournment wae granted. This morning Mr. Ringer explained that Mr. Hart had mixed up two orders, and made the mistake last hearing of stating these particular mattresses were ordered by the Defence Department. He had since found out that the orders i came through the Union &S. Co. to fit up the N*vua as a troopship for the Commonwealth Government. Mr. Newton. Inspector of Awards, eatd lie had communicated with the Department, and had been instructed to withdraw the charges. Since then it had transpired these mattresses were not for the New Zealand Defence Department. Mr. Kettle: Still, these mattresses were for British troops. Mr. Singer: Yes, sir. My client had I two orders, one for the Commonwealth and one for our Government. In his statement last week he mixed up the two orders. George Hart being called, confirmed Mr. Singer's explanation. The order in question was for the Union Company for the Common wealth. They were recommended to him by the Defence Department, and he rang up the local office of the Department, and thanked them for sending him the order. Mr. Kettle: All the mattresses were for the troope, and it was a matter of urgency. Witness: Yee. sir. Air. Singer explained the employees only worked on four days that particular week. Mr. Kettle eaid the Department had acted wisely in withdrawing the application. It was quite clear these girle worked willingly to complete an order, which was urgent from a national standpoint. It was nlieolutely necessary the mattresses should be ready by a certain day. He, therefore, granted the request to withdraw the information.