ECHO OF A STRIKE

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 5

ECHO OF A STRIKE

AUCKLAND TRAMWAY UNION CHARGED. PENALTY OF £250 CLAIMED. AUCKLAND, March 2. An action brought by the Inspector of ■ Awards against the Auckland Tramways i Union claiming a penalty of £250 for an : alleged breach of the Labour Disputes In- ; vestigation Act in connection with the stoppage of the trams during the jockeys’ dispute last year, was heard in the Magistrate's Court before Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M. Mr Hunt appeared for the prosecution and Mr Sullivan for the union, while Mr Johnstone watched proceedings on behalf of the City Council, i It was alleged that from June 3to June 7, 1920, or on any of those days, the defendant union incited and abetted an unlawful strike, or aided and abetted the continuance of an unlawful strike, or incited and instigated members of the union to become parties to an unlawful strike. Mr Hunt said a maximum penalty of £IOOO was provided, but the department had given instructions that the claim should be for £250 only, to indicate that the action was brought merely to vindicate the law. The Magistrate, after hearing- evidence, said be would give a written decision within a week.