LABOUR MATTERS

Southland Times, Issue 14578, 19 November 1910, Page 6

LABOUR MATTERS

-IIRCUMVENTING AIT AWARD. (Per United Press Association.) DUNEDIN. Nov. IS. At the Magistrate’s Court before Air H. V. "Widdowson, H.M., a breach of an ward which presented rather peculiar features came up for hearing. it appeared that a firm of painters had endeavoured to secure permission to employ a painter as an apprentice, but this was not agreed to. Defendants then .sought permission to secure from the Union an under-rate permit for the employe. This also was not acceded to. Ultimately the employe a youth who Will be 17 in December, was taken into partnership with the firm, being granted an eighth share in the business. It was stated in evidence that,the employe had requested to be taken into partnership, but had paid nothing to secure an interest in tho firm. Defendants both slated emphatically that they had no intention to circumvent the award. His Worship held that under the circumstances it was as easy as possible to set aside an award. He stated that the question arose as to whether the partnership agreement was a sham or not, and he ■would like to further consider the question of how far ’’infants” could enter into partnership. He then reserved his decision till Tuesday. COM SERVING TEE SYSTEM. DUNEDIN, Nov. IS. At the annual meeting of the employers’ association several members spoke Strongly concerning the attitude of some labour leaders, which they characterised Bs an endeavour to revolutionise tho Whole industrial system. The opinion was expressed that unless strong measures were taken to conserve the present system no employer would be safe.