Heated Discussions On Union Affairs

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29853, 20 June 1962, Page 17

Heated Discussions On Union Affairs

(Neu? Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 19. Defendant’s behaviour towards plaintiff had been vicious, said a witness today in a Supreme Court claim for £3OOO damages for alleged slander.

John Cuthbert Bicknell, of Mangere, who in 1960 was president of the Southdown branch of the Auckland Freezing Workers’ Union, claims he was slandered on March 10 and 11 that year by Trevor Kelly, of Hamilton, district president of the union.

The hearing is before Mr Justice Boys and a jury. Mr L. F. Moller and Mr J. H. Wallace appear for the plaintiff and Mr F. H. Haigh and Mr R. A. Adams-Smith for the defendant.

A witness for the plaintiff, Leo Wilfred Burney, former president of the Auckland district union, said there had been heated, animated and lengthy discussions on disaffiliation from the national union. Kelly’s behaviour towards Bicknell had been vicious during the discussions, said Burney.

He said “scab” was the most vicious word in the vocabulary of a trade unionist. If a man was believed to be a scab he would be treated with vilification and every effort made to have him removed from the industry.

Cross-examined by Mr Haigh, witness said that there had been heait between Kelly and himself and Kelly and the plaintiff. William Preston, said as secretary of the union branch he received Bicknell's resignation. “It was normal for pig butchers to have alternative employment.” he said.

“There was quite a feud between the president of the union and quite a few others. Our shed was holding out. We did not agree with the way the president and district secretary were running union affairs.”

Witness said plaintiff discussed the executive meeting with him before deciding not to go.

“I told him to go to his alternative job.” He knew Bicknell’s poor financial position and that he was building a new home. His Honour told counsel that he would have to determine whether either the occasion on the wharf, or at Westfield or at Southdown was a privileged occasion. Mr Adams-Smith said the defence would say that in effect the executive continued its meeting on the wharf.

Kelly, in evidence, said disaffiliation had always been a “hot potato,” but his relationship with Bicknell was the same as with any other member of the executive There was no reason for animosity between them.