APPRENTICES’ ACT

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 149, 20 March 1939, Page 7

APPRENTICES’ ACT

Coachbuilders Complain Of Restrictions AMENDMENT WANTED The hope that the Apprentices’ Act •will soon be amended to make it easier for boys to be apprenticed to the many skilled trades in the Dominion is expressed by the New Zealand Coach and Motor Body Builder’s Industrial Association of Employers in its annual report "The many restrictions that have been placed on the employment of apprentices during past years and which at present exist, seriously affect the progress that should be made in the coachbuilding industry,” states the association. "By the rigid and stringent terms and conditions of the Apprentices’ Act, many employers for years past have been loath to employ apprentices because of the responsibilities placed on them. The effect is that there has been a serious shortage in the number of apprentices coming forward to take their place as tradesmen. "The employers of New Zealand have recently been faced with the need to import tradesmen, so as to permit work to proceed in accordance with the Dominion’s progress. "The Minister-of Labour, Mr. Webb, when addressing a recent meeting called in Wellington for the purpose of setting up an Industrial Advisory Council, expressed the view that, if the Apprentices’ Act was found to be too restrictive, then some alteration might be found necessary by the Government.”