LABOUR MATTERS

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1936, Page 5

LABOUR MATTERS

ADULT APPRENTICES Special Training GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 22. An investigation of the problem of training adult apprentices will be begun next week by the Minister of Labour Hon. H. T. Armstrong, in conjunction with the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, the Under-Secretary for Housing, Air J. A. Lee. and experts in the handling of industry. Mr Armstrong said to-day that it was not intended' to bring down an Apprentices Bill this session, but a ,-hort amendment of the Apprentices’ Act would be embodied in another Bill, probably the Statutes Revision Bill, giving the Alinister of Labour the power tn enter into special contracts of apprenticeship for youths over IS years of age, who had missed the opportun’ty of learning a trade during the depression. He proposed to take the power to approve such contracts on whatever conditions he deemed reasonable, but the extent to which that power would be exercised had not yet been determined. Cons deration was being given to the question of establishing special workshops for tho train'ng of youths. and it was probable that arrangements would be made for special facilities to be provided by teeliuieal schools and by private firms. Freezing Industry Dispute

THE RIVAL CLAUSES.

WELLINGTON, September 22.

The Conciliation Council ..has been hearing to-day the Dominion dispute in the freezing industry before Mr. Ritchie, Conciliation Commissioner. The employees ask that the ordinary hours shall not exceed 40 per week; that the hours from Monday to Friday shall not exceed eight per day; that oh Saturday overtime rates shall apply to any excess of 40 per week; that payment shall be 3s Gd per hour on the chain; that the piecework rates shall be: Sheep £2 per hundred; lambs £1 17s Gd per hundred. The employers’ counter-claims are for sixpence an hour extra if the men are required to work 11 p.m. to G. 30 a.m.; 2s Gd per hour on the chain; and as above. Piecework rates for other classes of workers are set out in detail by both parties.