AWARD WAGES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 124, 27 May 1936, Page 8

AWARD WAGES

EFFORT AT EVASION COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE PALMERSTON N., May 26. “This is a question of very grave importance to every worker in New Zealand. If employers can get away with this practice for that reason 1 think it should be referred to the Arbitration Court,’’ declared Air. J. L. Stout, S.M., when two claims for wages were brought before him in the Magistrate’s Court. The cardinal feature of the case was that the employer, considered a butcher, had paid award wages but had each week received back from his employees a portion of the amount paid them, so that th?y netted considerably less than the award rate for which they regularly signed. The claims were against Allan George Farland, who previously was fined substantial amounts when prosecuted by the Department of Labour. Counsel for Farland contended that the claims must be supported by fact, as the money actually had been received and signed for. The Alagistrate: If the parties agreed that the money should be paid the employees probably found that they were compelled to hand it back or lose their jobs. If Farland gets away with this everybody in the country will start it. The point I am worried about is whether, having signed ,lo receive the money, they have a right to recover it after handing it back. Decision was reserved.