HARSH PENALTIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13983, 12 February 1909, Page 6

HARSH PENALTIES.

EMPLOYERS PROTEST.

[BY TELEGHAVIt. OWN CORHESrOXDEXT.] : Wellington; Thursday. The regularity with which Dr. MeArthur, S.M., ordered fines of £10 each in the eases for breaches or enforcements of industrial awards the other day has displeased the Wellington Employers' Association. The matter was discussed by the '<:■ executive yesterday, and the following; resolution was adopted —"This associa- : tion expresses its strangest protest against the imposition by the stipendiary magistrate of unduly severe penalties for breaches of Arbitration Court awards." This resolution will be forwarded to the Advisory Board of the New Zealand Federation, and further action will be at the discretion of that body. - ,'" The Wellington Asrociation's secretary; (Mr. Gienfell) referred to-day to the comparatively moderate penalties imposed by ; the Arbitration Court at its last sitting ? in Wellington during August. "For paying less than the award rate of wages," he ; said, five breaches were recorded without fines. In seven cases the fine wis \ £2, in two cases £2 10s, in one case £3. .- and in three cases £5. For failing to pay overtime one breach without a fine was recorded, and one fine of £2. For failure to indenture an apprentice, there : was one fine of £3. In view of these fines and the attitude of the Arbitration Court in regard to these cases, the employers consider they are justified .ini expressing their disapproval of the unduly harsh penalties imposed bv Dr. McArthur." "' ': Mr. Pryor, general secretary of the Employers' Federation, said the cases for breaches of award had been steadily declining, and that fact was recognised 'by the Arbitration Court. If the offences were diminishing with moderate fines, why :-• was it necessary to make the penalties ex- ■ cessively heavy ?