FLAXMILL DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 14, 16 January 1918, Page 8

FLAXMILL DISPUTE

PENALTIES FOR STRIKING,

Reserved decision has been given, by Mr. W. G. Kenrick, S.M., in the cases arising out of the Miramii flaxmill dispute on 7th September. The Inspector of Factories (Mr. J. H. Torbit) proceeded against E. Moss, Lionel Buckman, D. B. Carmichael, John Malneek, W. Waimarama, James M'Pherson, Robert Buckman,- Sydney Norden, F. S. A. Karstern, John M'Anergny, W. T. Oag. J. H. Jensen, Robert Malneek, James M'Cloy, Joseph Breen, and P. Olsen. A penalty was claimed for an alleged breach of the Manawatu District Flaxmill Employees' award, in that the defendants named were parties to a strike.

The Magistrate held that there had been concerted action, resulting in the cessation of work. "It is contended the men had a just grievance in that they wore paying 22s 6d instead of _17s 6d as provided by the award for their board; this question is not before me, and further it was not the question at issue with the employees. The question was whether they should get an increase of wage, when they were getting above the minimum fixed by the award, and they decided to stop work because an increase was refused, and stopped immediately without waiting to consult their secretary. If the men were charged •■ 22s 6d, when the award says 17s 6d was to be the charge, they undoubtedly had a grievance, but there was a proper remedy provided—certainly not to strike. Further, the award would have expired in a few days, when the whole matter of wage and board would have been settled. It is to be regretted that the men allowed themselves to .be. led by .one of their mates to do what is wrong. King (whose case was previously dealt with) was the prime mover in the matter, arid pressed it to a head in such haste that the men gave themselves no time to seriously consider what they were doing, or to consult their secretary."

Taking into consideration the previous good relations between defendants and the employers, and that the strike was the result of King's hasty actions, the Magistrate fixed the. penalty at £1 for each of the defendants, except Robert Buckman, F. Karsten, J. Breen, and P. Olsen, the cases against whom were dismissed, as also were the cases against S. D. M'Pherson, Kmit Olsen, and D. Griffiths, pole-pushers.