WAGES NOT PAID.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20252, 11 May 1929, Page 12

WAGES NOT PAID.

APPRENTICES JN CAMP. PROTEST BY EMPLOYERS. f"3T TSLZGBAJPS. —OW3 CQSCBMSQOTBSIS. 1 CHBISTCHCBCH, Friday. The attitude taken By a city firm in regard to she payment, of wages to apprentices while- at military camps was referred to in. the Magistrate'* Court.. Booth, Macdonald and Co. were charged art- the information c£ Mr. R'. TL , Bailar of the Labour Department, with, failing to pay wages to- apprentices who were away at camp*. Mr.. E. C.. Lewey,. S'.M.,, was: on the Bench. Mr. Pi E. Livingstone- appeared for. the defendant company- A formal glea of not guilty was entered although, the- tacts were admitted.. Tn the- witness-box,. Mr. Si. 33L Hall,, the aim's- manager, made the. following statement s—"• The payment of wages to youths attending military campff i» : the meat unjust class taxation to- which employers- who are -willing to train: appranrices are subject.. IFor years; past, emplbyersT acgiinisatibna have repeatedly received protests from employers throughout the Dominion at the failure of the BateGovernment to grant relief and on. several occasions during the iiiat. six years the lata; Government had, Been approached in this matter, pointing out that the employer is oeing unfairly penalised aa a principle-'' In conclusion Mr,. EalL said:. " In my opinion the only way out is for the Government: to provide relief for- private employers in, the same way as they treat. : themselves,, or for the Government, topay every man. apprentice or otherwise,, his. mil; wages- while he is in camp: and thereby relieve employers of a mosc un- : taiir burdism Aa fchue Iktwr stands' apprejx- : tices and youths are paid a premium for ; attending camps and! we desira that the whole community should pay an equal! ; share; toward the- cost of military trainI inc."

"That is very political, Mr;. 13follU T! said the magxatefe ""'IS am saying nothing.£2' and costs,,'*'