§ 26. Mr. KELLYasked the Minister of Labour what are the rates agreed upon for those employed in the industry covered by the Drift Net Mending Trade Board; whether such rates are being paid; and, if not, what steps the Minister is taking to enforce payment of the rates and conditions?
§ Mr. BETTERTONFor workers other than home workers the Drift Net Mending Trade Board have fixed a minimum time rate of 6d. an hour, and for home-workers a minimum piece rate of 5s. 6d. per net. The application of these rates to workpeople employed by boat-owners is contested, and it has been indicated to the Department that, pending legal decision, the rates will not be paid, and are in fact not being paid. A test prosecution is accordingly being taken, and it is expected that it will be heard at an early date.
§ Mr. BETTERTONIt means exactly what it says. We are bringing a prosecution in the local Courts within the next few weeks.
§ Mr. KELLYIn view of the many months delay on this question, can the Minister give any assurance that we are likely to have this scheme before the end of the year?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI have certainly every hope that it will be heard long before that. It may be that the matter will be carried further by one side or the other, in which case, no doubt, the magistrate will be asked to state a case.