THE IMPRISONED EM-PLOYER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14211, 12 May 1908, Page 6

THE IMPRISONED EMPLOYER

THE RISK TO OTHERS.

(Pun United Press Associatioh.) AUCKLAND, May 11. A deputation appointed by the Drury indignation meetings waited on the Hon. J. M'Uowan today concerning the case in which Dixon was imprisoned for failure to obey the order of tJip court for back paymint of wages to an employee. The deputation considered that no punishment should bo inflicted, because Dixon employed the man as an apprentice, and not as a journeyman. The sentence of two months was too swore. Mr M'Gowan promised to give due consideration to the arguments. Dixon had received every consideration. Be admitted that ho had the means to pay the fine, and declared his invention not to do so. Ho did not think he had either the power or the right to interfere, but promised to reply as early as possible. A Drury farmer who was one of the deputation referred rather feelingly to what he considered (ho injustice of imprisoning Mr Dixon. His own case and that of many other farmers, ho declared, was synonymous with that of tho imprisoned man. He pointed out that he had several persona employed on his farm as general hands at 7s per day, the labourer's wages. One of these men in partir.ilor ho. mentioned as being likely to got him into trouble in the same way that Mr Dixon was entangled. The man in question did all sorts of jolw, from ploughing to building houses, "so," remarked the farmer, "-if Mr Dixon was liable, I am liable, tea. 1 suppose if I were called upon to pay a fine I should certainly refuse. Kvery farmer in tho place is similarly situated, 'fho man I refer to is getting all ho asks for —all he wants,— so why should I pay more?" Mr M'ftowan suggested that the inatisr was beside the point, and the subject dropped.