ORDER MADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 221, 26 September 1938, Page 9

ORDER MADE.

ELECTRICAL TRADE. APPRENTICESHIP DEFINED. WAGES AND HOURS SET OUT. An order prescribing the wages, hours and other conditions of employment to be incorporated in contracts of apprenticeship in the electrical trade in the Auckland industrict district, has been written by the Arbitration Court. It is provided that the minimum age at which n peiwon may commence to serve as an apprentice shall be 14 years if he is the holder of a sixth standard certificate, and 1"> years of age in other cases, the term in both instances being five years. A limiting clause provides that only one apprentice may be employed where a journeyman has been employed for at least 12 months, and after that the number employed shall not exceed one apprentice to each two journeymen employed for the previous six months. The wages for boys under 18 yeare of age will commence at 1.1/ and will increase at the rate of 4/ per week at six-monthly periods for two years; for the next two years over the same periods the rises eha'll be 5/ j>er week; and in the last year increases of 8/ every six months, making the wage at the end of apprenticeship £3 5/ j>er week. For apprentices over 18 years the starting rate will be £1 10/ per week, with 5/ increases every eix months, bringing the total wage up to £3 15/ at the end of five years. Where apprentices have obtained registration under the Wiremen'e Registration Act, 192."), the order provides that they shall be paid not less than 5/ a week in excess of the minimum rate during their fourth year and 7/6 or more in the fifth year. Special provisions are made for apprentices who have served part of their time out of Xew Zealand when proof of such apprenticeship is admitted. It is specifically stated that the hours worked by apprentices shall not exceed those laid down for journeymen, and no employer will be permitted to work an apprentice under 17 years of age more than six hours overtime in any one week»- Xo apprentice under 18 years of age may work after 9 p.m., and no other apprentice after 10 p.m. The usual overtime clause is incorporated in the agreement, the minimum rate being fixed at 1/6 an hour. The provisions contained in the order will take effect from October 3, 1938.