FREEZING WORKERS FINED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17948, 28 November 1932, Page 9

FREEZING WORKERS FINED

AN UNUSUAL CHARGE INCIDENT AT IMLAY (Per Press Association.) WANGANUI, this day. As a sequel to tlie strike at Imlay freezing works, David Wright and Patrick Joseph Hogan wore fined £lO each, in default one month’s gaol, on a charge that with a, view to compelling persons, in the employ of tlie New Zealand Refrigerating Company from doing an act which such persons had a legal right to do, they did watch the approach of the freezing works. Tlie information was laid under section 33, sub-section b, of tlie Police Offences Act, 1927. The police evidence disclosed that the men were warned a few days previous to November 25 that they were committing an offence by congregating near the entrance to the works. On November 25 they were in occupation of a vacant section near the works, from which position they coulcT .watch non-union labor going to work. Mr. Cohen, for tho defence, raised the point that the men were not doing anything to compel others from doing a lawful act.

The magistrate, Mr. J. H, Salmon, said there was no means whereby the court could say what was in the minds of the defendants, but when they found a. number of men congregated together watching others going to work, it could only have one effect, and he thought their action clearly was one of mischief under the. statute.