" WORKMEN'S WAGES ACT, 1884."

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 62, 10 September 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

" WORKMEN'S WAGES ACT, 1884."

TO THE EDITOR. Sm— l wish to call attention through your columns to a rubject worthy of tho attention of politicians in these times of general elections. The above Aot, most useful in its intent, is at tho same timo most prohibitive in its operation, and an early amendmont of it is much to be desired. Take an i stance of its working. A workman is engagod under a contractor to erect a building. The work progresses, and the workman is kept on from week to wcok on plausible assurances that his wages will be "all right" when the "job," is completed, but at tho present he muat put up with " something on account." He runs through any ready monoy he has and in tho end finds himself loft in the lurch. This is no uncommon oase, bnt what aro his remedies ? Most just ones if they are within his roach, whioh they are cot. Ho has to tako out a summons against his omployer, sorve a notice of attachment on moneys due to the lattor, wait until ho obtains judgment, pay the hearing foes, &0., serve an order for payment upon the person owing money to his omployer, serve a summons upon him, wait until this summons is heard, pay further fees, and ultimately aftor weeks of litigation find that his judgment is valuoless. Tbo expenßO and delay of this cumbrous prooedure is on tho faoe of it prohibitive. I would suggest that the cost of summonses under this Aot should be on a lower aoale ; that it should be possiblo to inolude in the samo summons the employer and the persona owing money to him ; that the whole oaße as between workman, employer, and third parties should be heard at the same time and disposed of summarily ; and that no hearing or witness fees shonld be charged to the, workman. By simplification of the procedure tho Act may be made most beneficial. As it stands it is like a Tantalus' oup. I am, &c, J. W. Middleton. Wellington, 4th September.