MEN NOT INSURED

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11497, 18 April 1923, Page 2

MEN NOT INSURED

ACTION AGAINST SHIPOWNER. LIEN ON A VESSEL. ‘ An* interesting case came- before -the Arbitration Court at Auckland (writes the / r Timea w correspondent) when Jolni .r H. Dolierty (Mr P. J. O’Pegan, Wellington), a ivatei'side Worker, lining at Onehunga, claimerl £9 l*4s froCharles' W. Williams, shipowner; Onehufiga, now -a bankrupt, in respect <>f ‘ injuries to a finger sustained in July, while loading benzine on board the ' Bteamer Huia at OneliutiEra.

r- etoamer jiuia at uneuunga. r. -Mr (XReglan stated* that no defence had been filed; iand Williams had'ignored a t letter which counsel' ,sent - Mm. " ■ : Tho‘money, involved jvas small,' cony tinued Mr O’Regan, but there was a , principle-involved. Plaintiff could only b get compensation by taking these prcM' ® eeedings. Williams had-filed a petition in bankruptcy, and theye was no indem,e mty policy over the workers, on the ship >* under tho Compensation Act/ and in \ respect ofr a Wellington; case, as well as 9 the present one* reliance was placed by ■) the plaintiff on section 47 of the. Act, ? which said that 6uch claims were a a charge on the. .ship. Such a charge © took priority over mortgages, and coungel understood tho vessel was heavily a mortgaged. ' . L 7 Speaking generally, Mr O’Regan de- » dared that if there were many men like Williams it would be necessary to compel - employers to insure under the Workers' Compensation Act. He thought the Sea- ’ men s Union might see. that every ship 1 owner had an 'indemnity policy. Plaintiff gave evidence that he was off * duty for three weeks, and when he, asked c compensation Williams told him to go to -y — and get it. . y 1 His Honour: Not a very nice way to refer to the Arbitration Court. Judgment was- entered for plaintiff with d£7 7s costs and 3s witnesses' expenses. • . p • ■■