TIMBER WORKERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 42, 12 May 1927, Page 9

TIMBER WORKERS

INTERPRETATION OF AWARD OPINION OF COURT An interpretation of the Northern Industrial District Timbers Workers’ awards in connection with where a worker was employed for less than eight hours was he entitled to be paid a full day’s pay Qr only an amount proportionate to the time worked, was sought from. Mr. Justice Frazer at the Auckland sitting of the Arbitration Court recently. The judgment, as delivered by Judge Frazer, is now to hand, and states that the northern district award provided for a daily rate for a day of eight hours, whereas another clause of the award provides for a week of 47 hours, made up of five days of eight and ahalf hours, and one day of four and ahalf hours. Obviously, in view of this apparent conflict, there must be some generally recognised custom of payment on an hourly basis for time actually worked; and the existence of such a custom has been proved by the submission of statements from a large number of millowners, who testify to recognition over a lengthy period of time. The inconsistency ol: the award itself confirms these statements, for without such a custom it would be unworkable. The court is of opinion that, in circumstances such as those dis*closed in the application, payment should be made for time actually worked.