§ Mr. DUCKWORTHasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of permits 58W granted under the Agricultural Wages Act in each year since 1920, allowing farmers to pay less than the standard wage because of some infirmity on the part of the worker concerned?
Mr. GUINNESSThe Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act only came into operation in August, 1924. The number of permits of exemption granted under the Act during the 12 months ended 30th September, 1925, was 8,848. A further 2,113 permits were granted during the succeeding 12 months and allowing for the continued operation or renewals of those granted in the first year, the total number of permits in operation on the 30th September, 1926, was approximately 10,500.