ENGAGING WORKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14530, 18 November 1910, Page 7

ENGAGING WORKERS.

A COMPLAINT THAT FAILED.

A judgment dealing with the employment of waterside workers was delivered by Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The case was brought by the inspector of awards (Mr. R. T. Bailey) against Messrs. Nearing and Co., stevedores, for an alleged breach of the waterside workers' award, in that they recently employed two men at the " C" shed on the Queen-street Wharf, instead of at the head of the Queen-street Wharf, as set out in the award.

His Worship was'of opinion that what was done by defendants in regard to the two men was not a breach of the rules prepared by the Conciliation Commissioner. The evidence did not establish that there was an absolute engagement of the men at "C" shed, but what took place, as far as he could gather, was that they were told some men were wanted, and if they went to the head of the wharf they would be engaged. His Worship saw nothing to prevent employers of labour going round and telling men that they wanted to employ them and mustering them. It could not be expected that men would wait for an indefinite time, expecting someone to come and employ them, and it would be in their interests if something were done to warn them, by a whistle-call or other means, that labour was required at the head of the wharf. His Worship held no offence had been proved, and judgment was given for the defendants. Mr. R. McVeagh appeared for the defendants.