UNUSUAL CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1937, Page 7

UNUSUAL CASE

TWO PNJONS IN CONFLICT

ARBITRATION COURT FINDING

(Per Press Association —Copyright)

PALMERSTON N., August 13

.Contending, that the Hawke’s Bay Builders and General Labourers' Union had no authority to enter into an agreement for the settlement of a dispute, and had not complied with the requirements of the Act, and also had no jurisdiction, the Wellington Industrial District Labourers and Related Trades Union was in conflict with the former organisation in a case of an unusual nature before the Arbitration Court.

Mr R. J. Reardon, who appeared for the Hawke’s Bay Union, said ii had reached a complete settlement with the employers in the Conciliation Council. They had applied for ratification of this by the framing of an award on its terms. Judge O’Regan commented that the Arbitration Act placed, restrictions on the multiplicity of unions; but it was a curious thing that both those in the case beforo the court were required. -The judge was informed that the Hawke’s Buy-union was originally an offshot of- the Wellington Union. Mi P. M. Butler, for the latter, submitted that , the four principal grounds foi the objection . alleged if the recommendation was made into an award, it would deprive the workers in the area concerned of benefits in a more beneficial settlement. He contended a settlement in the Wellington case, would in many respects, be better in wages conditions than the Hawke’s Bav allocation would l>e.

He alleged local bodies in Hawke’s Bay joined with the Hawke’s Bay Union in an attempt to prevent a settlement, being arrived at , in the Wellington dispute, and contended there' was an indication pointing to conspiracy between the employers in Hawke’s Bay and the Hawke’s Bay Union to prevent the Wellington settlement being applicable to that area,/ x The proceedings were adjourned till Monday, when the books of the Hawke’s Bav Union will be produced.