THE MEAT STRIKE.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 198, 22 February 1907, Page 3

THE MEAT STRIKE.

PROSECUTION OF THE MEN. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, February 22. At a sitting of the Arbitration Court this morning, proceedings were commenced against the slaughtermen who went out on strike at the Gear Co. and Meat Export Co.'s works. Mr Skerrett, who appeared for the men, raised a preliminary objection, claiming that the Court had no jurisdiction, and that it was asked to impose a fine under section 15, when the application was to enforce an agreement, and this is could not do after the argument. The Court held that the proceeding under section 15 was not to enforce tho agreement. The Court thought that the present application might be treated as an application for a penalty under section 15. Defendants understood the charge which they had to meet. If the charge was established, the only question would be the amount of penalty the Court thought, and therefore that it had the jurisdiction to hear the present application as an application for a penalty under section 15. Mr Gully applied to appear on behalf of the Meat Export Co., but, as the proceedings were not for the enforcement of an award, could not do so. Mr Gray then opened the case on behalf of the Labour Department, lie said it was the first of its kind in the colony, and was of the greatest importarce. He recounted the circumstances of the lecent trouble, submitting that though the word might be objected to, there was no doubt that from a commonsense view, there had been a strike, and the action of the men had resulted in great logs' and inconvenience. If the offence was proved he should ask the Court to impose a penalty which would make it patent to all that the law must be observed. The case is proceeding.