BEAMES CASE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1573, 17 October 1912, Page 5

BEAMES CASE.

THE USE OF THE WORD "SCAB." IS IT LAWFUL? (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! Waihi, October 16. The hearing of the assault cliarga against Dela;iey was resumed this morning.

At the conclusion of the evidence of Bernice Heath, the magistrate made an appeal to desist in the following and "scabbing" tactics. He pointed out the law ,was made for everybody, and everybody had a right to walk- in the public streets free of molestation and mmoyiuioe. The law did not stop men from striking, nnd α-t the same time did not stop men from working. He urged that it was liot womanly to break the law in the manner it lind been.

The magistrate's final appeal was: "You won't go on with this sorj; of business again? . ■ \. ', '

The witness replied "I will not." Further evidence was adduced in regard to the charge of assault preferred against Delauey by Jessie Beanies. Alma Gregory, aged 10, step-sister of the complaint, Jessie Beanies, and Mona Gregory, «ged 13, gave evidence corroborative of that of the previous witness.

Frederick Neil, a striker on picket duty, said that he saw Dolaney grab Jessie Beanies by the shoulders. He considered that she was handled roughly, and he interfered. A scuffle ensued, during which blows were exchanged. While they were struggling on the ground another man pulloil Delaney off. Both the girl and Dolancy had appeared to be angry. Personally, ho did not consider that ho did anything to cause a fight beyond interfering between Delauey and the girl, Under cross-examination by Sir. Cotter, witness said the pickets' duties were to try to persuade men not to go to work. They had' to be persistent, and "booing" was part of their tactics. In answer to further questions, witness stated that it was not at all a small ootcrie of men who were practising these tactics. It was a large organisation. Witness whs not working, and, at the same time, he was not loafing. He reasserted that be had a right to "boo" men going to work while the strike was on. He used the term "scab" to show, his disapproval of such men. He. intended (o pursue these tactics, and did not consider them unlawful.

Counsel: If yon were convinced that these tactics were uulawful would you continue (hem? . . . Witness: I would not Iμ prepared to discontinue them until compelled to. Witness, continuing, said that he was not aware that the women were put to the front to use the term "scab, , ' , leaving men practically in the back-ground behind tho shirts of the females. He had attended a demonstration against the workers oh Tuesday afternoon, but would not be prepared to say whether the women or men predominated in the "booing" and calling out "scab." The pickets were not. instructed to indulge in "boning." All they were told to do was to moot the workers and try to persuade them thnt they were doing wrong. Nevertheless lie (witness) had taken part in the "booing" at a demonstration. In describing the alleged , assault, witness said that; lie did not see Jessie Bennies pick lip a stone. Under similar circumstances \\c would have acted as Delaney had, and prevented the woman from throwing the stone. His interference Willi Dolaney had boon the cause of the "rough and 1 limbic." At the time be was not aware that Delaney was prevent ing someone from .throwing a stone. The Magistrate, addressing witness,, reminded him that it was against; the law t.i use offensive terms to people in the public streets. The law was quite clear on the point. That law was made for the good of everybody, and the same law that punished wn's lire same law that, protected. William Dare, the next witness, said that lie had been dn picket duly in the vicinitv of tho alleged nssaiilt. His duty was to' try to convert workers Ho had given up the conversion of Delaney, as the latter was a "scab," and he would continue to call him a "scab. Witness saw Delaney attempt to kick Jessie Beanies, and nfterwnrds s'aw Noil and Delaney struggling. Both fell, and witness picked up Delaney and advised him to co home. . Under cross-examination, witness took , strong exception to Mr. Cotter calling him a loafer. A man had no right to go to work while a strike wns on. The Court adjourned till to-morrow morning. THE TALISMAN MINE, (By Tclcgrnph.-Press Association.) Auckland, October IG. Regarding the closing of the Talisman mine, Mr. A. Ila'nna, representative of the company in Auckland, informed a "Herald representative that this decision would have the effect of throwing about 300 men out (if employment, including those on the machinery atid battery. Tho fuil strength was 40(1. but this, number had, for some time, not lx>en available. Questioned as to what was being done i to got coal elsewhere, Mr. Hanna replied thai doubtless efforts in this direction would be made, but ho did not know where the coal could be obtained, unless from Australia. Even Australian supplies, however, could not be relied U|K>n on account of the labour troubles there. f.V message received from the Talisman Gldiliining Co, slates: "Owing to the interruption. of our supplies from Huntly it is necessary to reserve tho present stock of coal for pumping purposes only, >nd we reiwt having bid to etop ajj

operations in the. mino and uill at f o clock this morning until further con; supplies are available. All pimraine op orations will Iμ continued as usual. '1 REEFTON. Recfton. October IG. • Tho Conciliation Court Kit all day mm continues 10-niorrnw. Tho prospect* of a settlement of Die dispute are considered better,