Da d goods.—Deductions or payments in respect of damaged goods are the subjectof section 2 of the Act of 1896, as follows :—(1) An employer must not contract with a workman ,for any deduction from the sum con tracted to be paid by the employer to the workman, or for any payment to the employer by the workmen for or in respect of bad or negligent work or injury to the materials or other property of the employer, unless (a) the terms of the contract are contained in a notice kept constantly affixed at such place or places open to the workmen, and in such a position that it may be easily seen, read, and copied by any person whom it affects ; or the con tract is in writing, signed by the workman ; and (b) the deduction or pay ment to be made under the contract does not exceed the actual or estimated damage or loss occasioned to the employer by the act or omission of the workman, or of some person over whom he has control, or for whom he has by the contract agreed to be responsible; and (c) the amount of the deduc tion or payment is fair and reasonable, having regard to all the circumstances of the case. (2) An employer must not make any such deduction or receive any such payment unless (a) the deduction or payment is made in pursuance of, or in accordance with, such a contract as aforesaid ; and (b) particulars in writing showing the acts or omissions in respect of which the deduction or payment is made and the amount thereof are supplied to the workman on each occasion when a deduction or payment is made.
Deductions or payments in respect qf materials.—(1) An employer must not make any contract with any workman for any deduction from the sum contracted to be paid by the employer to the workman, or for any payment to the employer by the workman for, or in respect of, the use or supply of materials, tools or machines, standing room, light, heat, or for or in respect of any other thing to be done or provided by the employer in relation to the work or labour of the workman unless (a) the terms of the contract are contained in a notice kept constantly affixed at such place or places open to workmen, and in such a position that it may be easily seen, read, and copied by any person whom it affects ; or the contract is in writing, signed by the workman ; and (b) the sum to be paid or deducted under the contract in respect of materials, tools or machines, standing room, light, heat, or any other thing, does not exceed, in the case of materials or tools supplied to the workman, the actual or estimated cost thereof to the employer, or in the case of the use of machinery, light, heat, or any other thing in this section mentioned, a fair and reasonable rent or charge, having regard to all the circumstances of the case. (2) An employer shall not make any such
deduction or receive any such payment unless (a) the deduction or payment is made in pursuance of, and in accordance with, such a contract as aforesaid ; and (b) particulars in writing showing the things in respect of which the deduction or payment is made and the amount thereof are supplied to the workman on each occasion when a deduction or payment is made.
Stamps.—A contract entered into under the provisions of these Acts is not liable to stamp duty (1887, s. 7).