NON-UNIONIST TRUCKER

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 June 1936, Page 10

NON-UNIONIST TRUCKER

CLAIM FOit DAMAGES

[per press association.]

HAMILTON, June 11

■The Supreme Court was engaged all dav in a case in which L. J. Hughes, a trucker, claimed £250 damages from the Northern Miners’ Union, on the ground of a conspiracy whereby the plaintiff lost nis employment at Glcnal'ion Colliery. Tiie statement of claim set out that the plaintiff was engaged at a wage o?- 16/- pgr day on September 17, last, hut that, on his attending to enter the mine, others miners refused to work with him, on the ground that he was" a nqh-unionist, and that his employment was a breach of the existing industrial agreement, under which the members of tne union were granted preference. The defence, in addition to denying the allegations qf fact, pleaded justification. qii the ground that the industrial agreement in force ordained preference to unionists, and that, at least, two inembers were out of work when the plaintiff was engaged. Mr. P. J. O’Regan appeared for the defendant union. He submitted that the Glenafton Company had committed a breach of the agreement, and that the plaintiff had no cause of action. Mr. Strong, for the plaintiff, argued that his client was entitled to judgment.

Mr. Justice Fair reserved pis decision.