GARMENTS NOT LABELLED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21808, 13 June 1936, Page 22

GARMENTS NOT LABELLED

MADE IN UNREGISTERED FACTORY AUCKLAND FIRM FINED (PEIS* ASOOCIATIOK TILIOEAM.) AUCKLAND, June 12. For failing to label garments made in an unregistered factory, Robinson Bros., Ltd., a city firm of clothing manufacturers, was prosecuted in the Magistrate’s Court by the Department of Labour. Mr Neumegen, who appeared for the firm, pleaded guilty. Mr G. F. Grieve, who appeared for the department, said the case was unusual, being brought under the section of the Factories Act headed, “Suppression of Sweating in Factories,v which stated that if an occupier of a factory desired to give out work to be done elsewhere, certain provisions must be complied with. Some of the required sections had been complied with, but not that which required garments on which such work was done to be labelled. The defendants had no knowledge of the provision, and produced books showing the work which had been put out. The required label was, “This garment was made in unregistered factory.” Mr Neumegen said the practice had gone on for years, but immediately the firm had been advised a proper label had been used. “It seems to be necessary from time to time to prosecute somebody, to draw attention to some provisions that are not generally known,” the Magistrate (Mr W. R. McKean) said. Mr Grieve said there had been no attempt at concealment, but the offence was exceedingly difficult to detect. The matter was dealt with in the new legislation, which made it mandatory for the occupier of a factory to advise the department before giving out work. A fine of 10s and costs was imposed.