LOAN OF A SAWMILL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 12

LOAN OF A SAWMILL

MEN WHO WANTED WORK OWNER PAYS HEAVILY An arrangement by which his former employees provided themselves with work at his sawmill, which had been closed, cost Ernest Wright, proprietor of a sawmill at Tuncurry, New South Wales, more than £9B. » Mr. Wright was prosecuted by the Commissioner of Taxation for having failed to affix unemployed relief stamps 011 wages receipts and to affix family endowment stamps. It was stated, in evidence, that after the mill had been closed for a long period because of the slackness in the timber industry, and his consequent inability to pay award wages, his former employees approached him and said they wanted work. The men agreed to use Mr. Wright's machinery and to accept 3s 6d for each 100 super feet of timber they cut. Mr. Wright had no say as to what hours the men worked or whether they worked fast or slow. The men provided the running expenses, and he gave grease and oil. For the fortnight ended May 1 each nian earned £4 17s 6d.

The magistrate held that a relationship of employer and employee existed, and that Mr. Wright had committed a breach of the Act. On the first charge he imposed a fine of £2O with 28s costs. Mr. Wright was also ordered to pay £47 8s stamp shortage, plus £4 15s, the penalty thus incurred. On the second charge a £2 fine and 28s costs was imposed, Mr. Wright having to pay £2l 7s 6d stamp shortage.