EMPLOYERS PREPARE NEW SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 285, 29 August 1935, Page 8

EMPLOYERS PREPARE NEW SCHEME

System of Apprenticeship

EXISTING ACT “OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS”

After carefully watching the operation of the Apprentices Act, 1923, during the last few years, the New Zealand Employers’ Federation and its affiliated bodies are of the opinion that the Act is thoroughly unsatisfactory in its operation and has outlived its usefulness. This opinion is expressed in a statement issued yesterday by the association.

“Employers are not prepared to enter into contracts of apprenticeship under the existing legislation,” the statement proceeds. "The difficulties are many. For instance, it is often necessary for an employer to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for permission to employ apprentices, while on the other hand an employer cannot discharge an apprentice without the leave of a magistrate or the Apprentice Committee although be may have the very best of reasons for doing so.

“The position has become very serious and this is borne out by the fact that the number of apprentices in the Dominion has fallen from 10.227 in 1928 to about 3300 to-day. It is clear that if the Act is not amended there will be a very serious shortage of journeymen in the near future.

“After very careful consideration, the federation and its affiliated organisations have prepored a complete new scheme of apprenticeship which it is anticipated will meet with the approval of al! employers and all reasonable organisations of workers. “The proposed scheme incorporates many of the present, provisions of existing apprenticeship orders. In the first part, the proposals set out fully the duties of employers and in the second part the duties of apprentices. It is proposed that a scale of minimum wages be incorporated in the Act, and the scale suggested is a very fair one. Further, provision Is made that the parties in Conciliation Council may fix the wages of apprentices in a trade and district at rates higher than provided iu the Act.

“The proportion of apprentices suggested is one apprentice to each journeyman employed, and the right is given to the parties to vary this in Conciliation Council to suit the requirements of any particular trade.

“The term of apprenticeship is fixed for each trade in accordance with the custom ruling at present. Indentured apprentices will be bound by contracts which will require to be registered. Trainee apprentices are provided for on the same lines as in the New South Wales legislation. After satisfying himself that they have the necessary facilities the Registrar of Apprentices is given the power to.register employers as the employers ot trainee apprentices. The period of training for this class of apprentice is the same as that for indentured apprentices, but the wages suggested are on a higher scale. “Apprentice committees will no longer be required, as the employers suggest that the administration of the Act be vested in the Registrar of Apprentices and District Registrars who may be officers of the Department of Labour. Provision is, however, made for dissatisfied parties to appeal to the court against a decision of a registrar.”