FARM APPRENTICES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 61, 3 July 1914, Page 4

FARM APPRENTICES.

The Master and Apprentice Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the Legislative Council by the Hon. H. D. Bell, relates only to farm apprentices whose passages from England to New Zealand are assisted by the Government. Die Master and Apprentice Act, 1008, requires that the indenture of apprenticeship should lie executed by parent or guardian of the boy, and by the employer. Compliance with this provision is impossible in cases where arrangement is made for immigration of boys to be subsequently employed. The boys being under age, their own contract does not bind them. The Government undertakes the control and care of such boys, and therefore enters into a more or less definite arrangement with the parents, guardians, and relatives of such boys in the United Kingdom for due provision being made in Now Zealand for the employment of the boy and for the provision of proper food, clothing, and comfort. Unless the boy is bound to remain in his employment, and be subject to such control by his employer as is provided in the Master and Apprentice Act, it is impossible for the Government to perform its engagements. Further, it is necessary that the boys should be under some control from the time of their departure until their engagement in New Zealand. For these objects, provision is made for an indenture signed by tire High Commissioner and the boy becoming binding in England, and afterwards to tho extent defined in Section 3. Special provision is made in Subsection (5) of Section 2, enabling the Minister to alter the indenture signed in England in a manner advantageous to the boy, but not otherwise. Provision is made by which the apprenticeship extends to the age of twenty years. Tin’s is necessary because it is not intended to engage boys of an age of less than sixteen, and it is desired to engage them up to an age of somewhat over eighteen years, but under nineteen.