INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 April 1937, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

ANZAC HOLIDAY WAGES.

[PEE PEESB ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, April 29.

It has been ruled by the Labour Department that clothing manufacturers who are subject to awards which provide that when Anzac Day falls on a. Sunday the following Monday shall be observed as a holiday, and who kept their factories open on that day, must pay their employees double rates of pay under the awards. Failing such payment on the first succeeding pay day, prosecutions will follow. One employer, who paid ordinary rates of pay to-day, which was the usual pay day in his factory, proposes to pay his employees an extra day’s wages to-morrow. So far the attitude of employers generally to the question has not been determined, but it is anticipated that, some employers at any rate will meet the Department’s demand and pay double rates for Monday at the weekly pay day, which is tomorrow. There also seems reason to believe that the dispute which arose between one firm and its employees, as reported yesterday, will be settled.

EMPLOYMENT OF BOYS

DUNEDIN, April 30.

Reporting to his Association, last evening, the Vocational Guidance officer (Mr. Conly) stated that a noticeable feature in December, January and February, was the large number of mothers who sought work for children of immature years, and often of poor physique. With prosperous times, this seemed wrong. The tabulation of school figures showed that more young people after standard six, had gone to work in preference to secondary schools, while in many cases boys accepted jobs which would later handicap them when seeking entry into skilled occupation, for in effect, the recent Factories Amendment Act provided that if the girl or boy spent any time in a factory such time must be paid for by any subsequent factory employer, this also applying to officeworkers. Recently an employer interviewed over 50 applicants for the foundry trade. More than three-fourths had had a year or more previous factory .experience, and so were not even considered.

A further report from Mr. Conly showed that of 135 boys over 14 years, only 44 were continuing education at secondary schols, while 58 were unable to obtain work through having previous experience.

APPRENTICES’ WAGES.

WELLINGTON, April 29

Regulations issued under the Master and Apprenticeship Act provide that if any difference of opinion arises as to the rate of wages, to be paid by an employer to an apprentice after the expiration of 12 months from the commencement of employment under the provision for payment of wages contained in the indenture of apprenticeship, pursuant to section 5 of the Master and Apprentice Amendment Act, 1929, seuch rate shall be determined in each case by the award of a single arbitrator if the parties can agree on one. Failing this, the dispute shall be settled by the award of two arbitrators, one to be appointed by the master and one by the Minister for Labour, oi- failing their agreement, by an umpire appointed by the arbitration Act, 1898. and the indenture _ in question shall be deemed sufficient submission for’ the purposes of that act. The award so made shall be final.

MR WEBB’S REPLY.

WELLINGTON, April 30

Arising from the statements made at the meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr Webb, Acting-Minister of Labour, points out that the basic wage does not apply to apprentices employed under contracts of apprenticeship entered into under the Apprentices Act, irrespective of age. Provision was made in the Stautes Amendment Act, last session, to enable the Minister of Labour to approve any contract of apprenticeship applying to youths of eighteen and over, under any conditions the Minister thought fit. This provision was made specially to give such youths the opportunity of becoming tradesmen. The number of apprentices in the skilled trades in 1928 was 10,227, and in 1935 it was 3502. In order to maintain the necessary supply, there should' be approximately 2000 new apprenticeships entered into each year. During the last five years, the number approximately was 700. Last year there was some improvement, 1292 new contracts being registered. It should be understood, however, that of the present number of apprentices a large proportion are fourth or fifthyear. The position disclosed that the employers are not availing themselves of the existing provisions for’ takingon apprentices, and are not training the requisite numbers to supply the demand, and meet further requirements. The Government is fully alive to the problem, and the question of a general overhaul of the Apprentices Act is under consideration.

It is also pointed out that it is open to employers and workers’ organisations to come together, with a view to obtaining apprenticeship orders, in other occupations than where there is an award or industrial agreement. After referring to the provision for obtaining under-rate permits in special cases, Mr Webb stated' that if it is found necessary to remove any disabilities that, cannot be overcome in the manner outlined', the matter will receive the sympathetic consideration of the Government.