PETTIFOGGING CASES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1910, Page 3

PETTIFOGGING CASES.

A MINISTER AND THE UNION,

[BY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, May 20

A deputation from the Wellington Furniture Union waited on Hon J. A. Millar, Minister of Labour, regarding the grievances between the Labour Department and the Union. It was explained that the Union was unable to get the Inspectors to take up cases against employers for breaches of awards or concerning the inspection of factories. The Union had been forced to take the position at present that it would not submit any further cr.oes to the .department. It was suggested .that the Act bo amended to provide that definite costs be awarded in the event of Unions conducting their own cases.

In reply, Hon. Mr Millar said ho thought- there was in the present instance some little cause for friction, and this should bo removed. The Deapartment could not properly carry out its duties without the co-operation of the union secretaries. The Department had the onus thrown on it by Act of Parliament to see that only cases of actual breaches were taken, and he had told the officers that they must not take up pettifogging cases. He could nob admit that the factories in a particular trade should be inspected simply because the secretary of the Union- gave a. wholesale order that such should be done. Regarding the question of cost, Mr. Millar said the court had power in its discretion to grant them. If the union was dissatisfied with i!s treatment it should communicate with the Minister of Justice. If tho union know of any breach or anything wrong in tho factories and notified the department ho was perfectly certain attention would bo paid to it.