QUESTIONS ASKED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Issue 8, 31 July 1945, Page 2

QUESTIONS ASKED

POINTS RAISED BY LOCAL MJP.

TYRE COSTS AND APPRENTICES

Questions asked by Mr W. Sullivan (Bay of Plenty) were answered in the -House of Representatives.

Replying to a question which made comparisons between the price of tyres in Australia with those in New Zealand the Minister of Supply (Mr D. G. Sullivan) said that negotiations between the Price Tribunal and the tyre importers were proceeding with a view to determining an amended price list. The matter was being expedited, and he ex,peeted to be al)le to make a stater. ment at an early date.

In a question addressed to the Acting Minister of Labour, Mr Sullivan asked whether he would take steps to prevent the dismissal from employment of boys who were being trained in useful trades which owing to the war had not sufficient journeymen to provide the full ratio of journeyemen to apprentices required by existing awards and regulations? Replying, the Minister (Mr O'Brien) said the proportion of apprentices to journeymen employed by any employer was prescribed in apprenticeship orders made by the Arbitration Court after hearing the evidence of the parties concerned. It wa.s open for the Court to amend at any time any such order in respect of any locality. The department, of course had no authority to vary the orders. Some relaxation of apprenticeship orders was provided in the. Apprenticeship Labour Legislation Modification Order ? 1943. Tiie Minister said he understood that applications had been made to the Court for new apprenticeship orders in a number of and the opportunity was. therefore given to interested parties to ask for a review of the proportion clauses. He would be glad, to examine any specific cases' to ascertain if any undue hardship was taking place.