TO LEARN A TRADE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 7 September 1926, Page 6

TO LEARN A TRADE.

AN ADULT’S SUCCESSFUL APPEAL.

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WJiILLiINGTON, Sept. 6. A nather .unique case engage a the attention of the Arbitration Court today, when A. R, Clark appealed against the decision of the Electrical Workers’ Apprenticeship committee to exclude him on the grounds'that lie wan not a genuine apprentice and that this employer was not in iai position ;to teach him the trade. The facts revealed were to the effect that the was 35 years of age and was a married man with children. He was employed at the rate of 2s 3d •per hour. The employment was largely confined to the wiring of houses and installation of heaters. Clark’s ' employer admitted that he was only engaged in small contracts. He had never had lain apprentice go through his hands 'and secure his certificate. The work carried out by Clark was done under his supervision. In support of the union’s decision it was maintained that the nature of Glark’.s employment did not offer him scope to leant ia real electrician’s work. Small house wiring was of the mo.st elementary description of electrical work. In the course of his judgment His Honour, Air. Justice Frazer, said as long as the Act remained as at present the employer was required j.o teiaeh a trade to apprentices. The Court had decided to view the case- as a special one. No serious harm' would be done to any other 'apprentice if the Court allowed Clark to have three years’ apprenticeship alt the rate of 2s 3d; per hour as at present. The Court was influenced by the fact that Clark was a, man of mature years .and was sympathetic for a man with iai large family who had given, up eighteen months of his time to leani. a new trade.