"DISORDERLY."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 237, 6 October 1936, Page 10

"DISORDERLY."

MILK ROUNDSMEN. DEMONSTRATION IN TOWN. I RIVAL SUPPLIER FOLLOWED. fßy Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. As the result of a demonstration by a number of milk roundsmen in Whangarei at "the beginning of last month against an independent supplier, five of the demonstrators appeared at the Wliangarei Police Court yesterday. The defendants Were Ernest Sothern, Eric Slinn, Charles Robert Hilton, Ernest Parkin and George Albert Hilton.

Each was charged as follows: "That, on September 3, at Whangarei, did behave in a disorderly manner in a public place; on September 3, and also on September 1, with a view to preventing Athol Combrie Fricker from doing an act which he had a legal right to do. and without legal authority, did follow Fricker from place to place; on September 3, at Whangarei, did with more than two other persons follow Fricker in a disorderly manner in Central Avenue; on September 1, in a public place, did behave in a disorderly manner; on September 1, without legal authority, did, with four other persons, follow Fricker in a disorderly manner."

Sothern, Slinn and Parkin were also charged with using insulting language to Fricker in Otaika Road. Mr. R. K. Trimmer appeared for the five defendants, who pleaded not guilty. Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., was on the Bench, and Senior Sergeant Finch appeared for the police. "Greatly Humiliated." Athol Crombie Fricker, a milk roundsman, said his wife held the license for the round. He had not attended meetings of the Milk Vendors' Association, but had been to a meeting called by the borough council to discuss the question of having two rounds a day. On September 1 he had been followed on his round by five of the opposition vendors, who had jibed him for having two deliveries. On September 3 five vans had followed him. No remarks had, been made 011 the second occasion by the persons following him, but they had blown trumpets and squeakers. In reply to Mr. Trimmer, witness said that the demonstrators had humiliated him a great deal. They had been more cautious of what they said on the second day. Mr. Trimmer: As a matter of fact, it was a demonstration to create public opinion in regard to the industrial laws ?

Witness: I did not read the newspape: accounts of the incident.

Mr. Trimmer explained to the magistrate that Frieker employed no labour, and could work as many hours as lie liked. Owing to the new labour laws, the employees of other vendors were frightened that if they had to make two deliveries the price of milk would have to be raised, and their customers would support Frieker, with the result that they might lose their jobs. The defendants were all employees of other milkvending firms.

Frieker said that he employed no labour, and was not bound by the new la'ws.

Mr. Hewitt said that under section 3 j tlie highest penalty was £5. The action of the defendants was silly, and it was his duty to point out that they could not do such things. If everyone did it, there would be a civil war or something. Mr. Trimmer: It was a joke of a kind which is only a success once, and it is never likely to happen again. Nothing insulting can be construed out of the actions on the second day. After further evidence had been heard the magistrate held that the behaviour of the defendants had been offensive, insulting and disorderly. On the charge of disorderly behaviour on September 1 each defendant was fined £2, wif h costs 24/, equally divided.