UNION AND MEMBER.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 114, 15 May 1924, Page 7

UNION AND MEMBER.

I —-—— ..... I AN - IMPORTANT DECISION. " ( An important point was raised in the Magistrate's Court to-day by Mr. J. J. Sullivan, who appeared for Frank Kroanst, who was sued by the Auckland and Suburban Lpcal Bodies' ■Labourers and Related Trades' Industrial Union of Workers (Mr. Fitzherbert) for the sum of £1 14/6, being arrears of subscription fees from Decem"■ber, 1922, to March, 1924. i Evidence was led by Mr. Fitzherbert to show that the defendant was a member of the union_during the time stated, and that the amount claimed was due. I In cross-examination by Air. Sullivan, Mr. Clews, the secretary of the union, admitted that the defendant obtained his clearance in August, 1922. The secretary added that the defendant rejoined 'by paying 2/ in November, 1922. He admitted that a clearance was not only a clearance of the amounts then due, but 'that the defendant ceased in August, 1922, to be a member of the union. ~~~ For the defence Mr. Sullivan contended that on the evidence the <;ase {must fail: (1) Because the defendant ceased to be a member in August tof ■ 1922- when he obtained his clearance, 'and (2), that the defendant did not again 'become a member merely on payment of 2/, as the rules prescribed that 'membership should be made on written i application—no evidence of which was • submitted. I After hearing evidence for the defendant the magistrate said the matter was of some importance to members of unions and to unions generally, and he would give a written judgment, but he would now state that judgment would be for the defendant with costs, , because the rules had not been complied with. ;