NO LEGAL REMEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 9

NO LEGAL REMEDY.

A BRASS-WORKERS CLAIM. Judgment was given i>y Mr. Justice O'Regan in the Compensation Court yesterday in the case in which Frederick James Davis (Mr. Dickson) claimed compensation from Ma cEwans Machinery Limited (Mr. Golilstine) for ulceration of the skin alleged to have *been eet up through hie occupation as brass finisher for the defendant firm. The claimant alleged that the irritation wae set up by hot splinters flying from a hard brass alloy which 'he 'had to work in a turning machine, and that when he changed his occupation on medical advice the ulceration cleared to some extent, but still caused disability. He claimed for the difference between his wages as bras* finisher, at which he had worked 20 years, and those received in his new job of tram conductor. After reviewing at length the evidence and authorities cited, hie Honor said it was recognised in England that this was an industrial disease, and that in certain persons there was a pre-disposition to the trouble. He was satisfied that ttie claimant came within the category of those persons, and that his trouble arose from employment ae a brass finisher. The legal position in New Zealand, however, did not provide for such cases of injury due to a gradual process, and the plaintiffs case failed.