ALLEGED THEFT OF FUNDS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11739, 29 January 1924, Page 7

ALLEGED THEFT OF FUNDS

EX-UNION SECRETARY CHARGED. NEARLY £3OO IN QUESTION. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, January 28. R. D. Martin, ex-union secretary, was charged" with, the theft of £164 Is, £76 8s 6d, and £4O lls 3d, the money of the Canterbury Bakers and Pastrycooks’ Union. The police, replying to counsel’s statement that restitution had been made, said that several other chargee would be made before the case was gone on with. The affaire of four other unions had yet to be gone into. A remand was granted till Friday, bail being fixed at £2OO, and two sureties of £IOO. There is a possibility of the case going for trial at the coming session of the Supreme Court.

DEFICIENCY DENIED

RESTITUTION MADE. Per Ae«neinHon. CHRISTCHURCH, January 28. In applying for bail in the case of R. D. Martin to-day, Mr W. J. Hunter said there was no deficiency in the funds of the Canterbury Bakers’ Union, and it .was not'oorrecfc that there was a deficiency. It affected the question of bail, and it was for this reason he mentioned it. The chief-detective said there would be several other charges before the case was finally gone on with. The magistrate: Does that mean that restitution lias been made ? The chief-detcotive: Yes, hut there are four other unions’ affairs which have to be gone into. Mr Hunter said there were no charges formulated in regard to these other unions. As regards the Bakers’ Union, it was indebted to tho accused' rather than the accused being indebted to tho union.

Bail was allowed, and forthcoming.

Martin ceased, to he secretary of the Bakers and Pastrycooks’ Union about a fortnight ago, says tho Christchurch “Sun,” and his duties were taken over temporarily by the secretary of tho Canterbury Hotel and Restaurant Employees’ Union. About the same time the books of the union were impounded by the Department of Labour, under section 3 of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1922, which empowers the Registrar of Industrial Unions to compel any registered union to have its books examined by a public auditor if the Registrar suspects any irregularity or the misappropriation of moneys. The books were submitted to an audit in terms of the Act,

A special meeting of members of the union was called a few days ago for Saturday evening, in the Trades Hall. The business was stated in the following terms: “To consider reports of special meeting re Air R. D. Martin. Auditor’s report. Nominations for position of secretary.” Alartin has been well known in the Labour movement in Canterbury for a number of years, and has taken a leading part of jtho formation of clerks’ and shop-assistants’ unions in various parts of the Dominion. Ho was a member of the last Christchurch City Council, and was defeated at the election in April of last year. He was an unsuccessful candidate for tho Kaiapoi seat at the last Parliamentary general election.