CHARGED WITH BEING PARTY TO STRIKE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 60, 11 March 1944, Page 4

CHARGED WITH BEING PARTY TO STRIKE

WHARF WORKERS “IS IT OBLIGATORY TO WORK OVERTIME?” (P.A.) Wellington, March 10 Last month 33 summonses were issued on behalf of the inspector of factories, charging members of the Wellington Harbour Board Employees’ Union and the Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union with being partie* to a strike, contrary to the Strike and Lockout Emergency Regulations. Only nine summonses were served, and in the Magistrate’s "Court, Mr. W. H. Cunningham, on behalf of the inspector of factories, stated the Labour Department did not intend to proceed with those not served. The magistrate, ML Goulding: Why is that? Aren’t they arising out of the same circumstances? He added that in his opinion, all men concerned should have appeared. He disliked this method of procedure very much. “I see the Court may become improperly a party to some form of discrimination,” he continued. “They should all be served, so that if all are summoned they should all appear in Court.” He proceeded with the charges against three of the employees of the Wellington Harbour Board, concerning failure to work overtime on the Tamahine on February 15. At the conclusion, Mr. Cunningham said he would like to discuss the matter of the unserved summonses further with Mr. Goulding, and the charges against six watersiders already served were, therefore, adjourned. Counsel for the three employees of the Wellington Harbour Board said the real issue, so far as his clients were concerned, was whether there was any obligation in law to work overtime. The magistrate reserved his decision.