AWARD RATES NOT PAID

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22449, 19 June 1936, Page 11

AWARD RATES NOT PAID

TRANSPORT FIRM FINED EMPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS LB! - TELEGRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT] TE AROHA, Thursday Charged with failing to pay the minimum award (rates to two of its drivers, G. Foster and H. Manning, the firm of Transport, Limited, which runs a passenger service between Auckland and Paeroa, was fined £1 on each charge, with costs £2 10s lOd, in the Paeroa Magistrate's Court to-day, by Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M. Mr. F. Wilson, inspector of factories, Hamilton, who prosecuted, stated that the minimum award rate was £4 os a week. Foster was paid £3 10s and later Manning received £2 10s. Defendants admitted the charge in Foster's case, but denied the other. Evidence was brought to show that Manning, while employed by the company, was told that he might at any tim<» be called upon to drive, as he had a public hire licence. In April he left Transport, Limited, and drove for the Auckland Bus Company, Limited. On May 14 he was called to the office of the company during the evening, where, he alleged, Mr. Crimmings, Auckland manager for Transport, Limited, and the Auckland Bus Company, asked him to sign a paper denying that he had ever driven for Transport,' Limited. On his refusal' to sign he was dismissed. Manning was described as a driver in the wages book of the company. Mr. Crimmings admitted requesting Manning to sign the paper, but disclaimed knowledge of his dismissal. The magistrate said that he did not doubt that Manning was employed as a driver and added that he considered Manning's dismissal a ( reprehensible action.