Oct. 31.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3177

his present apprentices to the Inspector of Factories within one month after the filing of this award.

13. Under-rate Workers.

(a.) Any journeyman plumber, gasfitter, tinplate or sheet-metal worker who considers himself incapable of earning the minimum wage may be paid such lower wage as may from time to time be fixed, on the application of such worker after due notice to the union, by the local Inspector of Awards, or such other person as the Court may from time to time appoint for that purpose; and such Inspector or other person in so fixing such wage shall have regard to the worker’s capability, his past earnings, and such other circumstances as such Inspector or other person shall think fit to consider, after hearing such evidence and argument as the union and such worker shall offer.

(b.) Such permit shall be for such period not exceeding six months as such Inspector or other person shall determine, and after the expiration of such period shall continue in force until fourteen days’ notice shall have been given to such worker by the secretary of the union requiring him to have his wage again fixed in manner prescribed by this clause: Provided that in the case of any person whose wage is so fixed by reason of old age or permanent disability it may be fixed for such longer period as such Inspector or other person shall think fit.

(c.) Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be competent for a worker to agree with the president or secretary of the union upon such wage without having the same so fixed.

(d.) It shall be the duty of the union to give notice to the Inspector of Factories of every agreement made with a worker pursuant hereto.

(e.) It shall be the duty of an employer before employing such worker at such lower wage to examine the permit or agreement by which such wage is fixed.

14. Bicycles.

Any worker and employer may agree that the worker shall use his bicycle in proceeding to and from any suburban or country work, and the worker shall, if he so uses his bicycle at the rate of eight miles per hour, receive 1d. for every mile or fraction thereof so traversed in excess of two miles. This sum shall be payable in addition to the rate of wages payable under this award.

15. Preference.

It shall be the duty of every employer when employing a journeyman to ascertain if he is a member of the union, and if he is not a member of the union the employer shall notify the secretary of the union accordingly within fourteen days as from the date of employing such journeyman. It shall be the duty of every non-unionist so employed to join the union within one week after receiving from the secretary of the union a request in writing to do so. Compliance by the employer with the provisions of this clause shall relieve him from all liability under the provisions of this award relating to preference.

16. Scope of Award.

This award shall apply to all employers carrying on business in the Taranaki Industrial District.

17. Exemption.

This award shall not apply to workers in laying or repairing gas-mains.

18. Term of Award.

This award shall come into force on the [Date to be fixed], and shall continue in force until the 6th day of April, 1915; but so that if during the said term a Dominion award shall be made in relation to the plumbing trade, then such award shall supersede this award, which shall thereupon cease to have any force or effect.

W. N. Ewing, \ Assessor for the
A. K. Smart, \ Employers.
W. H. Griffiths, \

J. Clark, \ Assessor for the
H. Thompson, \ Workers’ Union.
R. Lamerton, \

Dated at New Plymouth, 28th September, 1912.

T. Harle Giles,
Conciliation Commissioner.