ALLEGED UNLAWFUL STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17325, 27 May 1918, Page 2

ALLEGED UNLAWFUL STRIKE

MAORI SHEARERS CHARGED. JUDGMENT FOR. DEFENDANTS. (Peb United Pbess Associ.vion.) DANNEVIRKE, May 25. Nine men, Maori shearers and shod lianas, who aro alleged to have struck at iautane Station in October last, were chiii-ged before Mr M'Carthy, S.M., • with participating in an unlawful strike. Mr Herrick, one of the owners of Tautane, dismissed a shearer for the 1 rough treatment of a lamb, and the rest of tlic gang suspended work in sympathy, hut later ill the afternoon offered to reeumo next morning. Hcrrick gave • them 10 minutes to return to work, or else they could not resume. They did not acccdo to this, but tendered themselves for work next morning, and were not -allowed to htart. The magistrate held that Herrick was jiistilied in dismissing tho Maori for illtreating shocp. The shearers, in ceasing work, commit,ted an unlawful act, which gave Herriok the right to dismiss them. 1 he ceasing of work was the inception of a strike, and had the cessation been persisted in by the men there would have been a strike. As tho shearers offered to return to work next morning and 'the short time of ceasing work, it was unreasonable to hold that the men took part in a strike within tho meaning of the Act. Judgment was given for defendants. No costs were allowed, the magistrate considering the Labour Department rignt in ormging the case before the court.