APPRENTICES IN THE FORCES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2851, 16 August 1916, Page 3

APPRENTICES IN THE FORCES

PROBLEM FOR EMPLOYERS

NEED FOR LEGISLATION

Reference, to the problem wonted by apprentices joining the Expeditionary Force was made uy tho president of tho Wellington Employers' Association .(Mr. W. J. Thompson) at tho annual "meeting of that body. "This matter," lie said, "is one of grave importance to a number of employers, especially in view of the opinion of the 1 Arbitration Court that the time spent on active service, is practically to be recognised as time served at the trade. if this opinion is to stand it will moan that although- apprentices may be away with our Forces for one or two years, that time .is to count 111 tho total period of their apprenticeship, while employers ma.v be called upon to pay lads who have spent only ono or two years at their trade the wages payable to those who have served t-hrco or four years; a very maFerial loss in value of service. Equally serious is the position of employers in trades in which awards limit the number of apprentices that may be employed, as those who arc on active service must still bo; counted, and employers are debarred from taking other lads to fill their places. "Tho best course for employers to adopt is to secure, if possible, a dissolution of the apprenticeship, and file the samo with 'the Labour Department. There is nothing to prevent such a course being adopted if all tho parties concerned consent. Tho New South'Waloa Legislature has passed a short measure of a very practical nature dealing with the problems abovementioned. The Act is a valuable guide, and our New Zealand Government should certainly bo induced to pass a similar measure.

"The leading features of the New South Wales Act are: —The apprenticeship of an apprentice is suspended during hi! period of military service and for six months thereafter; the apprentice has the right to .renew apprenticeship'if ho gives notice within tho six months; the ago limit shall not apply' in such cases; another apprentice may be employed during such suspension and the apprentice who is absent on service shall not count in the computation of the number of apprentices who may bo employed;' journeymen absent on service; and not temporarily replaced may be counted when ascertaining tho number of apprentices may be employed. ■_ 'Tilembers will seo that unforeseen difficulties arise over the calling up of men for active service. Largo numbers of employers are, in various ways, liy personal exertion'in their businesses Sy. payment of part wages, by keeping places open for their absent men and hoys, bearing' a share of the burden of Tn'o.war times ana aiding in securing success to our arms." • ■ ,