HOLIDAYS ON FARMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 144, 21 June 1938, Page 8

HOLIDAYS ON FARMS

A DEPARTMENTAL SUIT

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day,

The interpretation of the holidays clause in the extension of the Agricultural Workers Act to cover farms used for the commercial production of wool and meat was sought by the Labour Department in the Magistrate's Court yesterday when a prosecution was brought against T. R. Saunders, of Glen Oroua. The position as explained by Mr. G. Brown, departmental representative, was that Edward Smith had been employed by the defendant from 1932 to 1938, his services being dispensed with on February 28. Smith was due for holidays, the Department held, for the period since the Act was extended to cover farms where wool and meat were produced, namely, May 1, 1937, to February 28, 1938. Those holidays he had not received. In evidence Smith said his instructions were to lose no time as there was plenty of work ahead. When the Act increased wages to 2s an hour, his wages had gone up accordingly to 16s a day. In February last Saunders sold a portion of the farm and informed witness that he would have no more permanent work for him but would have a little casual work later on. The time he worked was recorded each day, and he worked six days a week. Counsel for the defendant, Mr. A. M. Ongley, pointed out that had Saunders put Smith off every now and then there could have been no claim for holidays, but because he had allowed Smith to work on, he had to face a prosecution. Counsel considered that the Department was stretching the intention of the Act. Smith did not work continuously as on dairy farms where the week was of seven days, but only for six days a week. Decision was reserved.