MILITARY CAMPS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20705, 1 May 1929, Page 9

MILITARY CAMPS.

PAYMENT OF TRAINEES. POSITION OF APPRENTICES. (Special to Daily Times.\ AUCKLAND, April 30, The payment of- wages to boys attending military camps is looked on by employers as the most unjust .class of taxation to which employers who are willing to train apprentices are subject. “ The whole cost of the training of our territorials is a charge which should in ail, justice be borne by the whole country, not by any particular section of the community.” This statement was made in the Arbitration Court this morning by Mr S. B. Wright, secretary of the Employers’ Association, when' supporting an application by the master plumbers to amend an apprentice’s order to entitle his employers to make rateable deductions from the apprentice’s wages for the time lost through sickness arid accident not arising out of his employment and other causes over which they have'no control. “ The payment of wages to apprentices while in camps is a matter which all employers look at with grave concern,” added Mr Wright. “.Under the law as it now Stands employers not only have to lose the services of their apprentices while iu camp, but are also obliged to pay their wages as well. The hoys arc found in board, lodging, and uniforms by the Government. They are also pal. 1 , from 4s to 5s 6d a day according to rank, and are therefore at no expense to themselves. This is more than many of them earn as apprentices when they have to keep themselves. We are not asking that any particular hardship be inflicted on the apprentices by seeking the • suggested amendment,” ho said, in opposing the application. Mr J. Clark, representing the Plumbers’ Union, said the order provided for deductions in excess of two weeks’ absence from work. The amendment simply meant that the employers were endeavouring to pay thejr apprentices for every hour worked only, and for a few holidays in the year. The court reserved its decision.