§ Mr. EDMUNDSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether applications for permits to receive less than the statutory wages from juniors engaged in the industry are accepted for consideration by agricultural wages committees; and, if this be the case, will he consider the desirability of advising these committees to require applications from juniors to be supported by a parent or recognised guardian?
Mr. BUXTONSo far as I am aware all the agricultural wages committees in accordance with their duties under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, accept for consideration applications for permits irrespective of the worker's age. Whether any steps are desirable to require an application by a young worker to be supported by a parent or guardian is a matter for the discretion of the committees in accordance with the circumstances of particular cases.