FAILED TO PRODUCE BOOKS

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1937, Page 6

FAILED TO PRODUCE BOOKS

“What was clone amounts to obstruction, and the department must regard the matter seriously.” said the inspector of factories, Mr C. P. Collins, at the Whangarei Police Court to-day, when H. W. Collins was charged with failure to produce his wages and overtime book when required to do so by the inspector of awards.

Mr Collins said the defendant employed a large number of men at his logging camp, at Mata. When called upon by the inspector, on October 29, defendant had politely, but definitely, refused to produce the books. He continued in this attitude even after the Inspector had produced his authority, and indicated that legal proceedings would result.

Twelve months ago, the inspector said, he had called on a similar errand and met with refusal. He asked for infliction of the maximum penalty, £5.

Mr A. Marsden Woods said it was disputed that defendant was a party under the award, but was an employer according to the Act. On the first occasion, the inspector had called, he had not produced his authority, and on the more recent visit had shown his commission as inspector of factories, which defendant had regarded as insufficient. The books were actually in Auckland at the time, and defendant had not intended to evade the law or obstruct the inspector. The books were to be produced.

Mr G. N. Morris said there was considerable trouble throughout the North regarding failing to keep and produce books of this nature. Because of the number of men employed and the obstructive tactics used by Collins, the present case was more serious than most. Defendant had been quite wrong in not producing the books. He was fined £3/10/ and 12/- costs.