THE IMPRISONED EMPLOYER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2829, 3 June 1908, Page 87

THE IMPRISONED EMPLOYER.

(From Ouk Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 29. At the Farmeis' Union Conference this morning reference was made to the Dixon case, which excited so much interest in Auckland and the Dominion a few weeks ago. The matter was introduced by Air AI. J. D.'xon (Cust), who moved — "That th« conference express its sympathy with Mr Dixon in accepting the punishment of imprisonment in support of his principles and as a protest against an unjust law." The mover said that when a man had the pluck to go to gaol in support of hia principles Ke rendered a public service. They had seen in connection with the Blackball strike a considerable amount of trouble and humbug over the law against the strikers, but in Auckland the case went against the employer. He had a private agreement with the man in his employment, and he thought the Arbitration Act could not interfere. In spite of this agreement Mr Dixon was taken to court, and sooner than pay the fine he took the alternative of imprisonment. Air Dixon had entered his emphatic protest against the Arbitration Act, and the farmers, who had objected to the act, should sympathise with him. Mx Dixon wa6 no relative of the speaker, but he was nevertheless a credit? to the Dominion. Mr Ruddenklau seconded the motion. Mr Wilfred Hall said that it/ might not be wise for the conference to pass this motion. It was entirely, a matter for Air Dixon, who had elected to take the penalty^ of imprisonment. He' might have thought that he was entitled to make the agreement, but he certainly was not so entitled. It seemed to the speaker that Air Dixon should ha.ye paid the fine and back pay / which the employee was entitled to by, law. The President (Mr D. Jonels) : Hear, hear. Mr Warren said that Air Dixon paid the fine, but refused to pay the back pay. The impression in Auckland was that the man was entitled to it. Mr Load ley paid that the motion should not have been brought before the conference officiaiiy. His sympathies wer« with Air Dixon, but the conference should not officially express sympathy. Several other delegates deprecated th» nation being proposed, while others supported it. One delegate remarked that th» conference had condemned employees for breaking the law. and it was now proposed to approve of a breach committed b^, an employer. '~ Air Dixon declined to withdraw th< motion, which was put and lost.