WAS IT A STRIKE?

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 616, 31 January 1916, Page 10

WAS IT A STRIKE?

COAL WORKERS AT WELLINGTON INTERESTING COURT PROCEEDINGS. Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 31. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, the Inspector of Awards proceeded against six wharf labourers, who walked off the sleamer Dalmore on December 30, objecting to work the coal, except at an increased rate of pay. The question was: Did their action constitute a strike? The proceedings were taken under Section 5 of the Act of last session. The defendants are all members of the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union, and it was urged that they were bound by the agreement entered into by the union, to which the Blackball Coal Company was also a party. On December 30 the foreman of that company employed the men to discharge coal from the Dalmore, the rale of pay being fixed at 1/0 per hour. After commencing work, the men asked for 21- per hour, on Ihe ground that the coal was very dusty and unusually dirty. The foreman offered 1/8 per hour, but the men refused this, and walked off the ship. Later, when an effort was being made to provide another gang, Iwo men slated thai they objected lo the foul smell arising from Ihe bilges. For the defence, il was urged thai Ihe men were really employed by Scales and Co., who are not a party lo the agreement, and that there was no si like, because there was no combination among the labourers with inlcnt to compel the employers to grant their demands. Decision was reserved.