TRIALS OF EMPLOYERS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 188, 18 November 1910, Page 5

TRIALS OF EMPLOYERS

AN "INFANT" PARTNER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. H. Widdowson, S.M., a breach of award case, which presented rather peculiar features, came on for hearing. It appeared that a firm of painters had endeavored to secure permission to employ a painter as an apprentice, but this was not agreed to. Defendants then sought permission to secure from the Painters' Union an under-rate permit for the employee. This also was not acceded to. Ultimately the employee, a youth who will be sixteen in December, was taken into partnership with the firm, being granted an eighth share. It was stated, in evidence, that the employee had requested to be taken into partnership, but had paid nothing to secure an interest in the firm. Defendants both stated emphatically that they had no intention to circumvent the award. His Worship said that as, under the circumstances, it was as easy as possible to set aside the award, the question arose as to whether the partnership agreement was a sham or not, and he would like to further consider the question of how far an "infant" could enter into partnership. He then reserved his decision till Tuesday.