APPRENTICES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18487, 15 September 1925, Page 7

APPRENTICES.

MUST KEEP CONTRACTS. LAW EXPLAINED. "Employers and apprentices must realise that they cannot go chopping and changing round; the 1923 Apprentices Act stops all , that. I hope this case—the first of its kind in New Zealand—will be a public warning," said Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning; when he gave judgment for the Labour Department for £5 which had been paid into Court by H. P. Joines, an apprentice employed by Otley anil Son. Joines left Otley and Sons and entered the employ of Hay and Osborne. Last week both Joines and Hay and Osborne were fined £5. "A boy cannot chop and change about." said the Magistrate, in explaining obligations imposed by the Apprentices Act. Mr A. E. Waite, who appeared on behalf of the Labour Department, explained that the fcase was tfl o first of its kind under the newAct." "The position is," he said, "that last week I asked you to hold the case oyer to see whether we could not insist on this boy going back to his employers. He has gone back to his original employers, and, I think, will now carry out the terms of his apprenticeship." The contract, added Mr Waite, still existed, despite the fact that the apprentice had left his employer, and the offence was a continuing one. Continuing Offence. "It is-well," 'said the Magistrate, "that the public should know, that employers and , apprentices should know—that under the Ap- | prentices Act, 1923, it is a continuing offenfe ; it this sort, of thing happens, and there is a severe penalty both on the apprentice and the second'employer who employs him. Up to the passing of the Apprentices.Act, 192.1, | the positon with ■ regard to employers j and apprentices was-JyUlier difficult. It was, made a-matter-of awards and apprentices appear to have been .iii. the habit of. chopping I and-changing from one employer, to another which, -of course, militated agamst the ap- , prentice learning his • trade properly. That has been recognised,' and the Apprentice. Act was passed wijh a view to providing that apprentices should learn their trades properly. The ■■ Act - prevents employers from taking apprentices from, other employers. The contrfet has to be. faithfully and strictly observed. There is a penalty of £5 a day (or the employer and 10s a day for the, a P prentice, if .tta terms of the ■ contract are broken. It is a very good thing hat sucn an "Act has been passed. t^ th 7 r " now learn, their trades P»P«£.»° d ™"n will, be no chopping on t-pU that theem the past* It is just, as * ell player. »d apprentices K^ these facts. Perhaps if t«y « t hear it is .for-the* benefit we shall no. much more.of thmgs m future Judgment was entered for tno into Court by Joines.