RATIONED WORE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 107, 2 November 1937, Page 10

RATIONED WORE

LEGALITY ATTACKED

ALLEGED BREACH OF AWARD

(By Tdsg.aph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, This Day."

A case of importance to employers was heard at the Magistrate's Court this morning.. The Inspector of

Awards claimed a penalty against Smith and Smith, stating that two men employed by them had been "placed on ration work, which meant that they had a week off for which they were not paid. The Department, he said, held that regular weekly payments must be made until the men were dismissed.

Mr. Stephens, for the defendants, said the case was one of great importance to the whole industrial community, for it meant that when work fell oft .employers could not place men oh a rationed scheme, in which case many breaches must have been committed. In' the present case when work fell off the-men were divided into .three batches and employed in sequence, There was no complaint from the men nor ill feeling. Counsel claimed that there was no provision in the award for continuous work beyond the weekly period and the award recognised suspension without IThe SMagistrate, Mr.-Bartholomew, reserved his decision.