Third prosecution of Keystores

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33774, 21 February 1975, Page 3

Third prosecution of Keystores

A third prosecution is being- brought against Keystore Wholesale Groceries (N.Z.), Ltd.

The company was fined $1 by the Industrial Court three years ago for employing nonunion labour. Last November the Canterbury Shop Assist-

ants’ Union again prosecuted the company, and the Court imposed fines amounting to $l5OO.

Now the company—whose chief executive is Mr O. V. Beaumont, a campaigner against compulsory unionism — faces its third prosecution, which will be heard by the Industrial Court on April 9.

When it imposed the fines ($lOO on each of the 15 charges), the Court commented: “This can only be described as defiance of the award and a resolute refusal of the company to meet its obligation as an employer bound by the award.”

The Industrial Relations Act, under which the prosecutions will be brought, allows for a maximum fine of $4OO on each charge — and this time 25 charges are involved. Mr Beaumont is adamant about his stand and said yesterday that he would continue his fight with the union.

Mr B. Alderdice, the shop assistants’ union secretary, is equally adamant. He spoke of “the rule of law.”

“The union has again decided that its entitlement under the law shall be obtained with the help of the law in proper judicial proceedings,” he said. In its last decision, the: Industrial Court ordered that two-thirds of the fine ($1000) be paid to the union. The union had claimed that it had lost about $6OOO in union fees in the previous three years.

Writ.—A writ .claiming $88,643.63 against Golden Chemical Products (New Zealand), Ltd, has been filed in the Auckland Supreme Court by Golden Chemical Products of Australia, Pty, Ltd. Solicitors acting for the plaintiff have declined to comment on the action or disclose the grounds for the claim.—(P.A.)