AWARDS INVALID

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1933, Page 7

AWARDS INVALID

SEQUEL TO COURT DECISION. “HARDLY ONE IN EXISTENCE.” (Per Press Association—Copyright). AUCKLAND, Sepember 20. The opinion that, m consequence of the recent- judgment of the Appeal Court, many industrial (awards are invalid, was expressed in the Arbitration Court to-day. In opposing certain applications by two clothing trade unions, the agent lor the employers, Mr Wright, said that one clause provided that piece work was not allowed. That was a contradiction to Section II of the Amendment Act of 1932. Mr Wright made a similar submission regarding several other clauses.

Miss Cossey and Mr Moxom said that Mr Wright had sprung a. surprise. The clause, similar to those now challenged, had been customary in awards for years. If the Appeal Court decision were correct, the agreements were not worth the paper they were written on.

Mr Justice Frazer said that the Appeal Court decision applied retrospectively. Mr Moxom said that the clause giving union secretaries the right of entry to workers had been agreed to for years. It came as a surprise that such a clause in the award now invalidated the whole award. It meant that there would hardly he an award in existence in the Dominion. The Judge said that he would not like to say how many awards would be affected.