APPRENTICESHIP ACT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19049, 28 June 1924, Page 2

APPRENTICESHIP ACT

A POINT OF REGISTRATION. A question has been raised as to when a contract of apprenticeship under the Apprenticeship Act should be registered, that is to say, whether at the beginning or the end of the pro bationary period. Replying to this point the local Registrar. Mr. E. W. F. Gohns, made the following remarks to-day to a reporter: “I wisli to explain that under the usual apprenticeship conditions this should be done at the beginning of the probationary period. The contract takes effect from the time it is entered into in the first instance subject to the right of either party to terminate it before the expiration of the period of probation, if any, is fixed. It has been the practice hitherto in cases where indentures have been necessary to withhold the filling in and signing of the indentures to the eml of the probationary period. This, however, is now not in order, as iu the interim the relationship of master' and apprentice has not been in existence, and the employer would be held liable tv pay him journeymen's wages, unless, of course, there was some specific provision to meet the case in an award or agreement. It is, therefore, important that ah employers taking on apprentices should register the contract of apprenticeship within fourteen days of the employment of the apprentice, and not, as has been customary, fourteen days after the period of probation has expired.” In stressing the necessity for the appointment of committees for all industries concerned, Mr. Gohns pointed out that where there was only a branch of a. union in the town, it. was quite competent for that branch to appoint its own representatives, and 'where there was no organisation either of employers or employees, one could be formed for the purpose of appointing a committee, and it need not be registered as an industrial organisation. While the voluntary appointment of committees was desirable, it was necessary to remember that the Aribtration Court had power to appoint a committee eompul xorily.