THE DIXON CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13726, 16 April 1908, Page 6

THE DIXON CASE.

ENTICE OR IMPROVER]

STATEMENT BY THE EMPLOYER. Soke of the statements made to a Herald representative on Tuesday by Mr. Dixon, the Drurv contractor, who is at present undergoing imprisonment in Mount Eden Gaol, were yesterday contradicted by the employee concerned. In conversation with a Herald reporter, the employee said he was never apprenticed to Mr. Dixon. He had been working with his father, previous to going with M.V. Dixon, in the building trade, and he commenced with Mr. Dixon us an improver. The question oi apprenticeship was never mentioned at an-,- time. At the time he commenced with Mr. Dixon he was 22 years of age, not 13, as stated, and he never told Mr. Dixon he was 19. He had not. asked Mr. Dixon for a job, but the latter asked him to work for him. "I agreed to start at 8s per day, not 7s, as alleged,'' continued the employee. '"I was never fully paid my wanes, because Dixon always paid me advances.'' "What was the reason of that?" •- He never paid me fully in any sliapi? or form until the job was completed, and then 1 discovered, when he finally settled up with me, that he had only paid \ne ft the rate of 7s per day, instead of 8-." Did you agree to accept 7s per day?'' '■ No, never. When Mr. Dixon would not pay me 8s a day 1 came into town, and reported the matter to the secretary of the Carpenters" Union, and the Court proceedings followed against each party. 1 was advised that under the Master and Apprentice Act of 1865, which my solicitor informs tat is not overruled by the carpenters' award, 1 could not continue to be an apprentice after I had attained the age of 19 years.'' -In conclusion, the employee stated that he had served over four years at the trade before he worked for Mr. Dixon.