THE APPRENTICE’S ACT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3783, 14 September 1926, Page 6

THE APPRENTICE’S ACT.

AN UNUSUAL CASE. WELLINGTON, September 6. Rather an unusual case engaged t tho attention of the Arbitration Court to-day, when A. R. Clark appealed against the decision of the Electrical Workers’ Apprenticeship Committee to exclude him on the grounds that he was not a genuine apprentice, and that his employer was not in a position to teach him the trade. The facts revealed were to the effect that appellant was 35 years of age. a married man, with Rix children. He was employed at the rate of 2s 3d per hour. His employment was largely confined to the wiring of houses and the installation of heaters. Clark’s employer admitted that he was only engaged in small contracts. He had never had an apprentice go through his hands and secure Ins certificate The work carried out by Clark was done under his supervision. In support of the union’s decision it was maintained that the nature of Clark’s employment did not offer him scope to learn real electricians’ work. !im all house wiring was the most elementary of electrical work. In the course of his judgment his Honor Mr Justice Frazer, said as long as the Act remained as at present an employer was required to teach the trade to his apprentice. The court had decided to view the case as a special one. No serious harm would be done to any other apprentice if he allowed Clark to have three years* apprenticeship at the rate of 2s 3d per hour, as at present. The court, influenced by the fact that Clark as a man of mature years, was sympathetic, as he had a large family, and as he had given up 18 months of bis time to learn a new trade.