STRIKERS FINED.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15120, 20 January 1920, Page 3

STRIKERS FINED.

(Per p ress Association.) | Dunedin, last night. ' Before Mr Mosley, S.M., at Kaitaiigatn, 56 miners from the Tanitu mine were charged with a breach of award by creating a strike through absenting themselves from work. The Inspector of Awards claimed a penalty of £5 from each defendant. The facts were that a dispute alow between the eoiniiany ami a miller named Robertson and Robertson left the mine. The men respited this, and a deputation waited on tho manager and told him plainly that Unless Robertson was reinstaled they Avould not go back to work. Tho manager said he would not take back the man, who had admitted himself that he Avas m the wrong. The men held a stop-work meeting, and by a majority of 37 to 6 passed a resolution that they Avould not resume work until Robertson Avas reinstated. After tho negotiations the manager said. "Is this a Strike! 3 " The president said "Yes." Tho men stayed away from work on Monday (Labor Day), held a meeting on Tuesday and told the manager that they Avould return to work on the following day, which they did. The Magistrate said that the strike had been a foolish act. The Court must hold that the officers of the union would be primarily responsible and differentiation would be made betAveen their penalties and those of the other miners. A fine of £3 and costs 12s 6d Avas imposed on Ralph Harrison, president of the" union, and James Thompson, secretary of the union. Fifty others were fined £2 Avith 7s costs each, and one fined £1 and costs. Charges against two others were dismissed.