BREACH OF AWARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9044, 15 May 1915, Page 11

BREACH OF AWARD

AND A PROTEST BY A MANAGER A case of some importance to tha grocery trade was hoard in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when before Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., Robert Alfred Scott, manager of the Wairarapa Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., was . proceeded against by the inspector of awards (Mr W. .Slaughter) for working two carters after 6 o’clock .in the evening on more than one. dav in Easter week.

Defendant appeared in person and entered a plea of guilty. The case, ho .said, touched upon a very important principle. It was praptically impassible for' grocers to conform with the law, owing (he alleged) to the fact that permits to work overtime had been refused by the department. It was absolutely necessary' for the men to work overtime. While the hours of labour in the grocery trade were regulated by the . Arbitration Court award there - was always ample provision for working overtime, but when these hours were regulated under the Shops and Offices Act there was confusion. Mr Scott referred to a deputation which-had .wafted on the Prime Minister in ■ September, 1912,•■and which was promised-redress in this respect. An amendment to the Act had been brought down as promised. but it had been dropped with other contentious measures when the -war broke out. Under these qircum.stances he asked that the magistrate ir.pplv section 16 of the Arbitration Act and dismiss the informations on the ■ground that they were, excusable breaches.

To this Mr Slaughter replied that the department had no trouble with other grocers, apd ho saw no reason whv defendant should not comply with the law. - Mr Cooper said that he must enter a conviction on each information, and fined defendant £1 and costs in each case. .. . . ,