A UNION SECRETARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1913, Page 7

A UNION SECRETARY.

OBEYS HIS INSTTTCTIONS. BUT IS AIA)NE RESPONSIBLE. After further examination by the. Official Assignee (Mr. W. S. Fisher) yesterday afternoon, the hearing of the petition in bankruptcy filed by James Collett, ex-eeeretary of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Unrion, was adjourned sine die. When the hearing was resumed in the aiternoon. the debtor -was examined by Mr. Skelton. He admitted that the contention on behalf of Millar and Smith in the Supreme Court aetdon was that he, as secretary of the union, liad acted in concert with other members of the Waterside Workers' Union in preventing Millar and Smith from getting work on the waterfront. Jhidgment was given against him in favour of Millar for £55 and costs, and in favour ot Smith for £80 and costs. Collett said, that in this matter he. acting under instructions. Everything he. did in connection with these two men wae donej according to a resolution of the union at a big meeting, at which, he supposed there were about 300 nmembers present. He did not remember who had moved or supported the resolution, and he di-d not remember who were the members of the executive committee at the time. He supposed that Mr. E. E. Oanham would be president, bnf, he could not remember who wae vice-presidient or one of tho members of the executive. The debtor had himself engaged co-.insel to defend the action for damages, and the union had not undertaken to defray expenses. Debtor did not expect that the union wonld defray any of his expenses. When he found that the case went against him he decided to file his petition in bankruptcy. The union had never made any offer to assist him in his financial troubles caused bnr carrying out their instruction*. He "had not asked the union to assist him, because he was "on his own," and he had decided to file when he saw that the caee went against him. His earnings averaged about £2 a week; hie «on was at present earning £1 per week, and his daughter £1 7/0 per week. He could not pay anything towards his creditors. Mr Skelton: Are yon desirous that these men's claims should be paid? Debtor: What « the uae of mc eaying I am, when I haven't got it? >Ir Skelton: Answer the question. Debtor: If I had it I would give it to them. Mr Skelton: Do you want these men to get their money? Debtor: Do you mean rash on the nail" Mr Skelton: Certainly. Debtor: Then. I wili " sa y No; that is the shortest way out. -I have, filed to escape these jndgroents. Fiirther examined, debtor admitted tiiat he had made no effort to gain asfwT J 7° m the ™ ion for the that he did not vrteh these men to the amount of their judgments.