Farmer Fined

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 149, 25 June 1937, Page 9

Farmer Fined

NO WAGES AND HOLIDAY BOOK; WHANGAREI, June 21. The first case of its kind brought in the Whangarei Magistrate’s Court was heard to-day, when C. P. Collins, inspector of awards, proceeded against G. Whatmough, farmer, of Opuawhanga, 13 miles from Hilturangi. It was alleged that, between November 15 and April 21, defendant, being an employer having control of a dairy tarrn,employed two employees as agricultural workers and

failed to keep a wages and holiday J 1 book. 1 1 Tho inspector said that last February , t defendant came to see him, when he ( 1 was advised of his obligations under , j the Agricultural Workers Act, 1936. On J April 21 witness visited the farm in i connection with arrears of wages of one ' < employee. These had since been paid. 1 While on the property a Maori came to i him and told him that ho and his wife < were milking for defendant, and asked ' for a ruling as to their position. These' j wages also had since been adjusted, but I ] defendant did not reveal that these 1 people came under the Act. The Magistrate, Mr G. N. Morris: I I 1 expect a good many farmers are in i difficulty over this Act. llow do you i find the position generally? j' Mr Collins: A fair number of farmers ] have failed to keep their wages books. « In this case I was misled by defendant. * In future, with any other cases, I will have to ask tho court for a heavy penalty. Mr L. A. Johnson, for defendant, said his client first engaged the men for scrub-cutting, but they also did a little milking. Not many farmers realise their obligations under tho Act. As this was tho first case he asked for lenicn. treatment. The magistrate: Unless tho farmers fako notico of tho publicity which no doubt will bo given to this case, I will havo a crop of offenders before me. However, in this case the farmer should hfcve told the inspector about the Maori and his wife. ;, Defendant was fined 30s, with costs 12s.