DEFENCE AND LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2407, 12 March 1915, Page 7

DEFENCE AND LABOUR

DEPAETMENTS IN CONFLICT.

{By Toloffranli,-Pr«!«"AßsocdaUon.)

Auckland, March 11. A manufacturer of mattresses' was before the Magistrate's Court to-day on a charge of employing three girls for longer hours than permitted by the award.

,The defendant explained that he had to; supply mattresses for one of the troopships,.- and at the speoial. request of the Defence..Department he .bindertook .to deliver them by a certain time. He found it impossible to secure extra assistance, and when he informed the Defence Department 'officers that he would have to work liis staff overtime if the troopship was to' be. properly equipped. in time, the officer said that he Would not bo prosecuted.- He produced a letter from/the Departmental officer to this effect, and stating that the working of extra hours was absolutely' necessary in the interests of the Defence Department.

The Magistrate (Mr. Kettle): I suggest that under the circumstances you withdraw the case. ..

The Inspector of Awards: I cannot do that. My •ns'iructions are that the Labour Department saw no reason why the law should not have been carried out.

The Magistrate: I am'not going to punish this man for a technical breach of the Act; I shall adjourn, the case in order that the Inspector can inform tho Department that under the very special circumstances the- ca3e should be withdrawn.-■ If it is then insisted that the case he proceeded with, I will adjudicate upon, the matter.