PAYMENT OF WAGES

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 41, 17 August 1916, Page 8

PAYMENT OF WAGES

ALLEGED BREACH OP AWARD,

JUDGMENT FOR ONE SHILLING.

A somewhat peculiar case concerning an alleged breach of an award came before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court to-day. The Inspector of Awards (Mr. G. H. Lightfoot) proceeded against R. Hannah (and Co., boot manufacturers, to recover a penalty in respect of a breach of the boot operatives' award. It was alleged that the defendants failed to pay wages due to their male and female operatives within five minutes from close of the working clay on 21st July.

Mr. G. G. G. Watson, who appeared for the defendants, said that the latters employees totalled 226, and it was utterly impossible for a firm like Hannah and Co. to comply with the extraordinary terms of the award. The firm had made every endeavour to keep the terms ,of the award, and counsel contended that there was absolutely no justification for the present action.

The Magistrate remarked that apparently it would not be possible for a firm like defendant's to pay out within five minutes after ceasing work. IE an employer commenced to pay out at 5 o'clock it appeared that he was doing all that could be reasonably expected. Judgment would be for plaintiff for Is.