EMPLOYERS EVADING APPRENTICES’ ACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3937, 2 May 1929, Page 1

EMPLOYERS EVADING APPRENTICES’ ACT.

AUCKLAND ALLEGATION. Auckland, Last Night. Complaint Was made) in the Arbitration Court that the provisions of the Apprentices’ Act, intended to assist flilms that were financially embarrassed were being abused. ,Mr. Dixon, secretary of the Furniture Trades Union, mentioned the ease of a, firm going out of business, not because o'f bankruptcy or liquidation, ibut because of the closing down of its cabinetmakdng and upholstery-department. This appeared a simple way for employers who desired to free themselves of apprentices for whom they had.no further use. He also alleged 'abuses in the transfer of apprentices. The Union contended that the provision in the Act was not meant to assist employers who had entered into a contract, to hand over their obligations to soime other employer who was already availing himself of the full quota of apprentices. Other employers, who were doing the right thing by their apprentices, were ’badly hit by this unfair competition, while journeymen were thrown out of employment by jobs being taken up by cheap boy labour. Mr. Justice Frazer said the general order Avas not intended for a ease of the kind quoted, but for cases of hardship. 'The Court hoped that where firms altered their trading, they would endeavour to fit their apprentices in somewhere. The most important thing Avas that the lads should learn their trade.