AN EMPLOYER'S DIFFICULTY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 80, 2 April 1908, Page 5

AN EMPLOYER'S DIFFICULTY.

GOES TO PRISON BATHER THAN PAY BACK WAGES. AX INDIGNATION MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A largely-attended public meeting was held in the Drury Hall on April Ist, to express sympathy with Mr. W. Dixon. who has been committed to Mt. Eden Gaol for two months for disobeying an order of the Magistrate's Court* arising from an Arbitration Court award; also to express indignation that a free-born citizen of the British Empire and of the Dominion of New Zealand should ' be hauled off to prison for such a cause. It seems that, last May Mr. Dixon was I cited before the Court for employing a i journeyman under wages. The man was j allowed to give evidence upon oath, while Dixon (the employer), although he requested to be sworn, was not allowed to give evidence, though he says he had a good defence. He was fined £5, which was paid. The man was fined 10/. The man then sued and got judgment for £21 back wages, which Mr. Dixon refuses to pay, hence his imprisonment. The meeting appointed Mr. J. Flanagan to see a solicitor in order that some proceedings may be taken to procure Mr. Dixon's release, and, if possible, re-open the case. Another meeting will be held on Saturday evening.