PAYMENT OF APPRENTICES

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1933, Page 6

PAYMENT OF APPRENTICES

WAGES OF COACHWORKERS.

COMMITTEE SEEKS VARIATION.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Wellington, Last Night. An application was made in the Arbitration Court to-day by the Coachworkers’ Apprentices’ Committee for an amendment of the apprenticeship order as follows:—First, the minimum rates of wages payable to apprentices shall be for the first year 14s 6d, second year £1 Is 6d, third year £1 9s, fourth year £1 16s, fifth year £2 3s 6d. Second, the above rates shall apply to aL contracts of apprenticeship, including those in existence at the date of this amendment. His Honour said the second part was illegal and the court could not give effect to it. The court had no power to amend existing contra its and every case had to be dealt with separately by the magistrate. In reply to the court, Mr. Mountjoy, the employers’ representative, said the matter had been dealt with entirely by the apprenticeship committee. He had already expressed the opinion that the second part of the clause was not in order. The rates suggested were quite generous and above the present rates for new apprentices.. He took it the object of the committee was to put all apprentices on the same level. His Honour said if the two. sides of the committee were prepared to let the amendment be made without any objectionable provision, and a joint letter ' was written to that effect, there would be no need to appear .before the court again and an order could be made accordingly. The clause as amended will therefore be reconsidered by the apprenticeship committee. ,