UNION SUED.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19918, 3 May 1930, Page 19

UNION SUED.

ALLEGED VICTIMISATION.

t JUDGMENT RESERVED.

(MHI UMOCUnoM TS&IOftAM.)

AUCKLAND, May 2,

A claim for damages by a waterside worker, who alleged victimisation against his union, was further heard by Mr Justice Smith in the Supreme Court to-day. Plaintiff was Thomas Moylan, commonly known as Paddy Miles (Mr Dickson), a member of the Waterside Workers' Union, and he took action against the Union and its "walking delegate," Bobert Irvine (Mr O'Began, of Wellington, and Mr Sullivan), on the ground that defendants had entered into a conspiracy to prevent him from earning his livelihood on the waterfront. He elahned damages at the rate of £G a week from March 23rd, 1020, to date of judgment, £3OO damages for loss suffered, and £2OO general damages. Mr Dickson continued his cross-exam-ination of defendant, Bobert Irvine, who said that Miles had refused to come before the officers of the Union and tell his story. If Miles had done so, it would have made the task of the executive in getting men to work with Miles much easier. Witness continued that he had told the men that they were wrong in taking up the attitude of not working with Miles.

His Honour: Then I take it you dissociate yourself from that attitude of the menf

Witness: Absolutely; right throughout the piece. His Honour: Did you know that if Miles were employed the whole body of men wonld refuse to work with himf — Oh, no. Only individual men. Witness said he shared the popular opinion about Miles's action in sending money by letter, but he accepted the statement that his wife wrote it.

The president of the Waterside Workers' Union, Charles Stephen Morris, was the next witness. "As president of the Union I have always stood for order and discipline and the growth of the port," declared witness. If Miles had come to the executive, witness believed that he could have eased the position for him. Mrs Miles saw him at his house once, and Miles twice. Mrs Miles wrote a letter of apology under his direction and accepted responsibility for the original tetter that caused the trouble.

After hearing further evidence, the Judge reserved his decision.