A PECULIAR CLAUSE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10950, 12 July 1921, Page 5

A PECULIAR CLAUSE

SUBURBAN WBRK DEFINED INTERESTING POINT BEFORE CONCILIATION COURT. ANOMALY I>i PROVISION. An interesting point in regard to the interpretation of the “suburban work” clause cropped up in the course of the Bricklayers’ Union conciliation case yesterday. The union’s claims contained the following, which was .said to be based oil the existing suburban work clause in Christchurch: “Suburban work means work, not coming within the definition of country work, which lias to be done at any place' more than 1) mile® from the city or town in which the employer’s place of business is situated. Workers shall he at the place where tlie work is to be performed at the hour appointed for the commencement of work. If the place is distant more than ll males, employers shall provide conveyance or pay ordinary tram or train fares, hut'by whatever means conveyed the worker shall be paid for all time occupied by him in travelling to and from such work in excess of 1-1- miles, to he calculated at the rate of three miles an hour.” CLAUSE OBJECTED TO. Mr W. A. W. Grenfell, agent for the employers, strongly objected to the clause. He pointed .out that a maa required to travel to a job at Upper H-utt, a distance of about 25 miles, would under such a condition be entitled to receive eight hours’ pay before he did a tap of work. Mr H. Hanton, one of the assessors fob the union, said that the clause was already operating in Christchurch. The Commissioner (Mr W. Newton) thought the clause in the Christchurch award was meant to be interpreted as time actually worked. On referring to the terms of the Christchurch award he found that the suburban work clause was worded similarly to that under consideration. ' . Mr Grenfell claimed that there was a very material difference between the two clauses in that the one embodied in the southern award provided for the payment of'fares only one way. This was disputed by Mr Hanton. “A PECULIAR CLAUSE.” Mr Grenfell: It is a very peculiar clause. Mr Hanton: Yes, I thought it was rather a comical one when I saw it. Mr Grenfell: I don’t think it is very workable. Mr Hanton: They work it in Christ-.' church. The Commissioner expressed the opinion that it was intended the worker should bejpaid only for the actual time occupied in travelling. Mr Hanton: Still, you can’t get away from the strict interpretation. ' No settlement was arrived at on the point.