PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13121, 8 May 1903, Page 4

PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

The Arbitration Court yesterday was called upon to deal with several cases of breaches of awards, in which employers were charged with employing non-Unionists while competent Unionists were available. Except in one or two trivial cases fines were inflicted, the evidence showing that the non-Unionists had been taken on without reference to the employment book of the. Union concerned. These breaches of awards are quite as serious as breaches of the Statute law, a point which the Court has'impressed on. employers on previous occasions, and as they da nob seemi to have taken the lesson" to heart it is time, we think, that the penalties were made a little more severe. ' During the hearing of one case, in which judgment was reserved, and upon which, therefore, we cannot comment, the point was raised whether an employer was reouired to dismiss a non-Unionisfc in order to employ a Unionist. The Union cited a decision given by Mr Justice Martin in July, 1900, and without discussing the merits of the present case, we may recall the facts of that decision here. The Bakers' Union was then proceeding against John Hansen, for employing a non-Unionist named Chisnall when there were competent Unionists out of work. ( - Hansen pleaded that Chisnall had been in his employ for sit or seven years, and it would be unjust to discharge him. Mr Justice Martin made the wise suggestion that the trouble could have been avoided if Chisnall had joined the Union. He went on to comment on the carelessness of employers in not making themselves acquainted with the Court's awards, with the result 'that " it cost both time and money to employers and employees." Hansen and /Johnson, against whom there was a similar charge, were fined £1 each and', were ordered to pay costs.