COURT NEWS

Grey River Argus, 13 June 1935, Page 3

COURT NEWS

PROBATION FOR THEFTS. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTO.X’, .luii-e 12. Expressing the view that what .'he accused needed was reformative detention, but extending probation, with the hope that he would take advantage ot it, Mr Mosley, s\’., admit-: Vd George Frederick Edwards to two years’ probation. Edwards, aged 21, a butcher, pleaded guilty Io a number of thefts from motor cars extending over eight or nine months. The artie’es total no' " ly £26. EMPLOYER SUES EMPLOYEES. - Instead of the employee proceeding against his employer for the payment of wages below the award, an employer in the Chief Industrial Magistrates’ Court in Sydney last week proceeded against his employees. The employer in question was Robert Phi’lips, a contractor, and the employees Thomas Graham and Janies Smith, and it was alleged that they had accepted less than award wages. It was stated that the men had approached Phillips and offered to work for him for £3 a week, but he had paid them .€3/10/-. This, however, was below the award, and subsequently he had been prosecuted by the men’s union and fined £5. Imposing a fine of £5 on each defendant, the magistrate remarked it was just as serious for employees to break awards as it was for the em ploycr. While it was a temptation tor men who had been unemployed to accept work at less than award rates, the laws of the country had to be obeyed, and the penalty he imposed would act. as a deterrent against others working for less than fixed rates.