EMPLOYER’S MISTAKE

Evening Star, Issue 19559, 18 May 1927, Page 6

EMPLOYER’S MISTAKE

APPRENTICE GREATLY UNDERPAID A rather .extraordinary position was revealed at the Arbitration Court this morning when Ozmond Bernard Uftou applied for modification of an apprenticeship order in so far as it allectsd the contract made between himself and Oliver Hampden Lewis and Oliver Lewis. Mr J. S. Sinclair, who appeared for appellant, stated that Oliver Lewis had been apprenticed to Often in February, 1923, and the lad was employed until Alarch of this year. The discovery was then made that respondent had been paid according to the terms of the old award, and there was a considerable sum owing. Appellant was only in a small way of business, and it was a serious matter for him, as the arrears amounted to over £IOO. The appellant said he had been in business for six years. The boy was taken on in February, 1923, and he paid him the specified wages in an old award. His Honor: It must have been an old award. It was made in 1918, and must bo the oldest award in the book. Witness said ho communicated with the inspector, and did not know that the 1925 apprenticeship order required him to pay higher wages as far as respondent was concerned. The apprenticeship was terminated by mutual consent. Respondent said he first discovered that he was being underpaid in March of this year, when ho noticed a copy of the "new award on the workshop door. He then saw the inspector. Appellant said he thought the apprentices taken on before tho now award came into effect were hound by the provisions of the old one. Air Lightfoot said he was satisfied that both parties had acted quite honestly. His Honor (to appellant): It is an astonishing thing that the Afaster Painters’ Association did not take lotion in view of what was done in Christchurch. Appellant: I left the association. It did not seem as if tho association was any good to a small man. 13is Honor: You might have got some useful information from the association about the apprenticeship order. Tho parties adjourned to discuss the matter, and when the court resumed Mr Lightfoot said that a settlement had been reached, and tho application was withdrawn.