JUDGE'S CONCERN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 34, 10 February 1943, Page 4

JUDGE'S CONCERN

YOUNG ROUNDSMEN CHANCE FOR HIGH WAGES The lowering of the minimum age for juvenile labour from 18 to 17 was the subject of comment by Mr. Justice Tyndall during the hearing of the Milk Roundsmen's dispute inthe Arbitration Court this morning. In response to a question, Mr. W. E. Anderson, for the employers, said the lowering of the minimum age was an alteration agreed to in Conciliation Council.

"Does that now mean that boys of 17 are able to earn very large wages such as we have been reading about?" asked his Honor. "That might jeopardise the economic stability of New Zealand. It certainly does not promote it."

The alteration had been agreed to, Mr. Anderson explained, because of the difficulty of getting boys at the present time.

Mr. J. Purtell, for the union, said that such lads would get the full minimum wage, and Mr. A. L. Monteith, union representative on the Court, said they would do the full work. The minimum rate was £5, plus the Court's bonuses, making £5 10/.

His Honor asked whether it would have the effect of increasing the competition for the services of boys of 17, and Mr. Anderson replied that he did not think it would make much difference.

Mr. Purtell said he did not know of any roundsmen at present at the age of 18. It would need to be a particularly hefty lad of 17 who could do the work. His Honor said, however, that a girl was delivering milk in Wellington, and she was "not a very old girl, either." . '-:.

Private Raymond Thomas Beech, eldest son of Mr. E. Beech, of 127, Campbell Road, Onehunga, who was killed in action in the Middle East. Private' Beech was educated at the Otahuhu Public School and the Otahuhu Technical Hish School.