LABOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 13709, 25 September 1908, Page 3

LABOUR

UNION'S FINE UPHELD

Per Press Association.

WELLINGTON, Sept, 24. The Arbitration Court dismissed the application by Henry Wilcox, claiming £3OO compensation from the Wellington Hospital Board. Claimant was suffering from dilatation of the heart, which he alleged was caused by working afc the Otaki sanatorium. A judgment of interest to industrial unions was delivered by Dr McArthur, S.M., to-day, in the claim for £lO prefered by the Drivers' Union against Donald Fraser, being the amount of a fine inflicted by the union on defendant. The case arose out of defendant's action during the late baker's strike, in which it was alleged that defendant had broken faith and gone to work in the bake-house contrary to a resolution passed by the Union. The Magistrate gave judgment for the Union. STRIKE CASE AT WANGANUI. WANGANUI, Sept. 24. An important point in connection with the Arbitration Act was disclosed as the result of a case heard in the Arbitration Court, in which thirty employees of the Wanganui Meat Freezing Company were charged with striking. The evidence was to the effect that the men stopped work in February last for twenty minutes only, nad demanded an increase of wages, a "round robin" being sent in to the company. The men were informed that their action was tantamount to a strike, but the men contended that the award under which they were supposed to be working bad been cancelled, and was therefore inoperative. The company gave the increase demanded under protest, and the men returned to work. They were subsequently given to understand that what had occured was not a strike, and the Minister of Labour and Inspector of Awards agreed with this view. The Labour Department initiated proceedings subsequently and the men were charged last Tuesday with striking. The Court. reserved judgment till later in the sittings. Counsel for the men pointed out that the Wanganui Meat Workers' Union had been cancelled in 1906, and a new union formed later in the year, the old union having become defunct. Counsel held that no award was in force, the formation of the new union not having revived the award. Counsel for the Department asked for time to consult the Wellington authorities, and as a result the cases were this morning withdrawn on the ground raised by the defence.