RIVAL UNIONS OLD SECRETARY'S CLAIM

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 77, 1 April 1914, Page 8

RIVAL UNIONS OLD SECRETARY'S CLAIM

RESERVED JUDGMENT GIVEN. Reserved judgment was delivered I y Mr. D. C. A. Cooper, S.M., yesleiday afternoon in the case in which George Farland, who was secretary of the old Waterside Workeis' Union at the time of the strike, sued Charles Albert Purdey, secretary of the Wellington Wharf Labourers' Union — the arbitralionists — for the sum of J33. The claim was in respect of certain work alleged to have been done by Farland in accordance with k resolution carried at a meeting' of the union held on the 7th February last. The resolution read : — "That a committee, consisting of the secretary (Mr. Purdey). Mr. George Bruce, and tho mover (Mr. George Farlaaid) be appointed to enquire and report and make recommendations to a meeting to be subsequently held to decide as to whether, and to what extent, there ha-s been due observance by the employers of the> terms of any agreement relating to any employment on the waterfront. Further, that they be given credentials under the seal of the union and remuneration at wharf rates." The executive, of the new union refused to recognise Farland's claim, holding that the resolution waa nob valid. Mr. H. F. yon Haast, who appeared for the defendant, moved for a nonsuit, on the grounds (1) that the secretary of the union^ could not be legally sued, and that if Farland had a cause of action it was against the union ; (2) that Farland could not sue, because he had notNyivried out the terms of the resolution ,- (3) that Farland could not sue the union, because he had no contract with it. Mr._ P. J. O'Regan appeared for the plaintiff. In his judgment yesterday, the Magistrate sustained the first two points raised by Mr. yon Haast. and nonsuited the plaintiff, with costs, £5 17s.