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Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 144, 18 June 1915, Page 2

The Arbitration Court was asked a question arising out of the cn.fr in which the Auckland branch of the Australasian Federated Seamen's Vnion proceeded against the Auckland Seamen and Firemen's Lnion for an alleged breach of the industrial agreement dated February 16, 1014. by refusing to admit one William Simpson, a man of good character, to membership. The Court expressed the opinion that there was no authority, express or implied, from the union to the secretary to act as he did in respect of Simpson's application. nnT was it proved that the union was party or privy to such act. TTis conduct was. therefore, entirely beyond the scope of ibis duty or authority, and could not involve the union in any responsibility. The facts stated did not. therefore, constitute a breach of clause 27 If) of the industrial agreement referred to. The Court ridded the hope that the union | would take immediate steps tn ensure I that the secretary properly performed his duty to bring till applications for memI .beys-hip promptly hefore the union, to be I dealt with in resmlar course. Otherwise I the union would lay itself open to the charge of being party and privy to imj proper methods, and would be responI sihle for them. The Court further expressed the ooinion that in the eireiim- , stances -the plaintiff union wn~ justified in initiatiii- proceedings, and therefore i that no costs should -c awarded ar-ainst