BOY APPRENTICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1920, Page 8

BOY APPRENTICES.

Tltß BILL REPORTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Wellington, Sept. 23. After the telegraph office closed consideration of the Master and Apprentice Bill waa continued in committee. Mr. G, Mitchell moved an amendment that no boy be brought out with. out the content of his parents or guardians. It. was rejected by 45 votes to 16. Clause two was passed at 2.10 a.m. Mr. J. McCorabs movud to excise clause 4. i'he clause was retained by 42 votes to.fl. Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) moved that wages paid to New Zealand boys under the Bill should be on the basis of the agreement between the Rural Workers' Union trnd the rural employers. It waa lost by 39 votes to 10. \ At Mr. Holland's suggestion clause 8 was withdrawn, as the agreed that there was some doubt about it. Mr. Holland objected to new. clauses moved by the Minister providing penalties for.a breach of the. indenture by a boy and for sending a boy back to England if his conduct continued to be unsatisfactory, contending that they were unnecessarily harsh. The Premier defended the clauses, as some power of restraint and coutrol was necessary. The clauses were agreed to by 38 votes to 14. The Premier agreed to have the whole of the penalty clauses reviewed when the Bill is in the Legislative Council, and this assurance was accepted. Mr. M'Combs moved the repeal of clauses 13 and 14 of the principal Act. The Hon. W. Nosworthy said that the assurance just given by the Premier should be sufficient, but Mr. 'M'Uomba/! insisted on a division. The clauses were retained by 36 votes to 13. The committee stage, during whieh 19 divisions were taken, was completed" at 3.5 a.m., and, on the Bill being reported, the House rose at 3.10 a.m.