AN AGITATOR'S ACTION.

NZ Truth, Issue 104, 15 June 1907, Page 5

AN AGITATOR'S ACTION.

BUMPS A SNAG IN ROBINSON.

A "Strong" Union.

Cute Cove Collins Caves In.

"That's Andrew Collins, the Agitator." This is quite a common remark when the secretary of mafty Labor Union passes along the street, and probably Andrew is proud of the distinction. Agitation is an excellent thing, for without it many 'reforms Would be still slumbering uncarried m the limbo of retrogression. But agitation may also be used as a means of persecution, and Andrew Collins, agitator, is herewith branded as a tyrannical person who uses his despotic position as secretary of a Labor Union to persecute a personal enemy. On behalf of the Wellington Bakers' Union, Collins, m April iast, sued James RctoMnson for 14/- m subscriptions to the Union. Robinson lives m" Pahiatua, and was obliged to allow the claim to go by default m the Wellington Court. Robinson has run foul of Collins before, and COLLINS IS A BAD ENEMY. 'Full- parti culars of the case were published m "Truth" eighteen months ago, and the victory, of Robinson, is remembered with 'bitterness by the agitator. At that time Robinson accused Collins of suffering from mental appendicitis, andi so far as ''Truth" can learn no operation has since fyeen performed to remove > the trouble. Collins joyfully accepted Ms judgment against Robinson on April 5, and could scarcely wait a decent interval before applying for a judgment summons. The >popularity of these Unions must be at a very low ebb if members are habitually treated i<n this manner. Meantime, however, on May 23, Robinson sent Collins a cheque for £l covering the, amount due and Court costs, and received an acknowledgment from Collins on May 25. In the same communication was a demand for 5/-, cost of a judgment summons which had not then been issued, also 4/- subs, due up to June. On May 27 a judgment summons was issued lor the amount al--ready paid, M*d an indignant ; Robinson came down from Falmerstan m dikmi himse«f m the Wel'in^tra Court on Tuesday. The ridiculous agitator expected no defence, and was visibly disconcerted at sight of Robinson, who flourished his cheqlue block, dated May 23rd: arid Collins receipts, dated 25th, and the judgment summons, dated 27.th, which he did not receive until the 29th. "You can't deny your own hand--writing," he said to Collins r- and Collins swore he had not. received the cheque till last week. Obviously the judgment summons had been issued after Collins had given the receipt, and the only possible circumstance m favor of the intolerant Union person was the shadowy suspicion that the chewe might not be darted May 23rd. His Worship, Dr. McArthur, resolved to give Collins 'an opportunity to produce the cheque, and adjourned the Court till the afternoon for that purpose. In the afternoon the discomfited Collins arrived without the cheque, and said the Union WISHED TO WITHDRAW THE CASE for reasons winch he proceeded to state with lengthy irrelevance. Dr. McArthur cut things short and' gave judgment for Robinson. It tlius cost the Bakers' Union £1 ,4/4 to recover 19/6 which had already been recovered, and Collins appears to be a very costly sort of individual to have on tJie premises. Although Robinson is allowed the amount abov» stated, he has had to put on a master baker m his place for three days at 10s per day, pay train fare, airf accommodation m Wellington. Scs that the bloomer of of the unspeakable Collins lias been a double-barrelled Sort of calamityRobinson talks of suing the Union for out-of-pocket exes., and if he does the eipeneiveiiesa of Collins as a secretary will be materially en-