WAGES CUT BY A THIRD

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 19, 22 July 1932, Page 8

WAGES CUT BY A THIRD

PLUMBING APPRENTICES

MAGISTRATE'S DECISION

The wages, of *a number of apprentices ! m the plumbing trade were reduced by I 33 1-3' per cent. 1 by Mr. H. P. Lawry, | S.M., in the Magistrate's Court at, Chrfstchurch:"on. Wednesday, .whenj applications by employers in tho trarlo' for variation of apprenticeship orders] wero heard, (reports "The Star"). Mr. Lawry announced that the Chris&J church Magistrates had considored the I position and had agreed upon certain I principles. The firsts was that there should bo given a moasure of relief to all- employers, and in the cases in the plumbing trado wages of apprentices were to bo cut 33 1-3 per cent., with a minimum' of 15s a week,,'. The reduced wages were to bo paid on an hourly instead of a weekly basis as formerly. On Wednesday morning about twonty applications by master plumbers were heard before Mr. Lawry. Tho apprentices concerned were given an opportunity of stating 'reasons .why they should not be made subject to this reduction, and'in some cases the weekly minimum was raised to 17s 6d and in a few others to £1. KROTEST BY PARENT. The father of one apprentice, who was present during the hearing of the appeals, said ho thought it. wrong in principle that a Magistrate should have the power to .reduce wages in this way. Ho considered that all such cases should go before1 the Arbitration Court, which was in.l a. position, to investigate the state' of the' industry and hear evidence from'both sides. He-objected to the procedure adopted by tho Magistrate, who, he said, did not ask ono employer to-go into tho witness box and provo; his right' to obtain relief. The right, of the employer to obtain relief was accepted by tho Magistrate without question .'and' the onus was thrown on the employee to show causo why he should not bo mado subject to the reduction of 33 1-3 per cent., and tho, minimum wage of 15s a week.