POINTED QUESTIONS

Southland Times, Issue 25306, 8 June 1935, Page 6

POINTED QUESTIONS

THE CHIEF JUSTICE. IRRITATION TACTICS ALLEGED. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, June 7. Some pointed questions as to the subject of irritation tactics allegedly recommended to union members by the joint Executive Council of the Seamen’s and Cooks’ and Stewards’ Unions in connection with the shipping dispute last year, were asked by the Chief Justice in the Supreme Court to-day. His Honour’s questions arose during the continued hearing of the case in which Douglas Gilson, a seaman, is proceeding against the Wellington Federated Seamen’s Industrial Union of Workers, claiming an injunction restraining the union from excluding him from membership, and £lOO damages for loss of wages. Two more witnesses for plaintiff were called when the hearing was resumed this morning, after which a start was made with the defence. His Honour stated that the union had to justify plaintiffs expulsion upon the ground that he was acting contrary to a lawful decision, and if the union’s actions were unlawful, then plaintiff might well be entitled to recover, even though the alteration he wanted to put into operation was an illegal course. Counsel for the union submitted that the issue involved was entirely whether the union was to continue as a constitutional and disciplined body, or whether its decision were to be overridden by a minority who were resolved upon disruptive tactics. Nothing unlawful was intended by the council’s proposals, he said.