§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Labour whether it is the policy of his Department, when non-payment of the proper trade board rate in any particular case is proved, to rest content with the payment of the difference as from the date upon which the Department took the matter up; if so, whether he is aware that in many cases the proper rate has not been 1536W paid for a considerable period prior to-action being taken; and whether he will state the reason for allowing employers to withhold money legally due to their employés?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe ordinary practice of the Department is to obtain payment in full of arrears of wages proved to be due under the Trade Boards Acts and not to limit the claim in the manner suggested in the question. This practice is only varied in cases where the Department are satisfied that the full arrears-cannot be obtained, and in such cases it always remains open to the workers to take civil proceedings on their own account.