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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16577, 28 December 1915, Page 2

Another echo of the 1913 wharf labourers' strike was sounded in the Magistrate's Court, Greymouth, on Tuesday morning (says the Argus), when the Greymouth Wharf Labourers' Union (known as the old union) made claims against throe defendants for amounts varying from 17s to £2 12s. The union alleges the amounts to be duo by the defendants as former members of the plaintiff union, in respect to weekly contributions of 6d for the. union's general fund and a levy of 6d for the union's accident and general fund, in accordance with . the plaintiff union's rules. In one instance a counter-claim was filed for £28, loss of seven week's wages, and additional recompense for moneya paid into the new union, which, it is aEoged, was necessary on the part of the defendant in order to secure work. When the case was called ibefore two justices of the peace, Mr T. V. Byrne said the claims would probably involve questions of law, and, in discussing a postponement with counsel for defendants, they hid agreed to ask for an adjournment so that the claims could be hoard before the stipendiary magistrate. An adjournment to January 17 was granted. A gentleman who had just returned to Auckland after a trip round the country districts stated to a representative of the Auckland Star on Thursday that harvesting was now in full swing. The oaten hay crop bids fair to be a good one, as a large area was planted this winter. As to fcho rust, about which a good deal was heard during the w.et v oather, it is now stated this was really another form of blight, and has not done serious damage. The grass crop cut for hay has turned out very well, being a good average heavy one for the whole of the Auckland district. The arrangements made have resulted in farmers so far not experiencing any shortago of labour for harvesting purposes, «is by mutual solf-help and careful organisation the men nvailablo have Ijoen property utilised to the boat offset. '