SEQUEL TO A STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1451, 28 May 1912, Page 4

SEQUEL TO A STRIKE.

CIIAEGK AGAINST GISDORNB bUICiIEHS. (By Tc!c6rsDU--Prctf Aeioddtlon,: Gisborne, May 27. As a sequel to tho recent butchers' strike in ijisborne eighteen, tradesmen were aiTaigni'd buforu. Mr. \V. A. liiivimi, S.M., for failing to giyo tho necessary notice prior to the strike. The charges against each man read us follow:— "That nn March 2<i, being n iktsou cniploved in an industry for I'lio supply of inciil for <lnm«-.lio consumption within the meaning of Section 9 of tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act. 1 !)08, he did slrike without having given to Ins employers notice, in writing ol liis intention to do so." An interesting point concerning tho chaises is that Iney were the first in New Zealand under the section providing for special penalties with respect io strikes and lock-nuts in certain specified industries, including that of daughter or supply of meat for domestic consumption, I-Mwari] Charles, Ernest Skillicorn, John Williams, Hugh Butler, George Knijjht. Sidney (iiirdnei , , Arthur Newton, Fred Jones, Robert. Lonont, and George Cremhretto pleaded guilty. Pleas of not guilty were put in in the cases of Albert Jones, Edward Benjamin, Gordon Farnhnm, <j:hnrlcs Wild, and Cecil Harries. Inupector Westbrook, who prosecuted, briefly outlined the facts of tho case. Previous to the day of the strike, members of the Gisborno branch of tho Auckland Butchers' Union had met the employers in conference, and agreed upon terms of agreement. Tho employer!) refused certain clauses, and would not sign it. On March 20 the employers received the following notice from tho union:— "Tho Gisborno branch of the Auckland , Butchers' Union hereby gives due notice that if the agreement agreed on at the .conference be not signed by .') p.m. on Tuesday, March 2fi, all the nien will enase work until I he, agreement is signed." Tho notice was signed by G. Knight, secretary. After hearing evidence, the case of Jones wns dismissed, and on Inspector Westhrook's application, the cases against Cecil Harriw, Charles Wild, nnd Gordon Fnrnham were withdrawn. Tn the cases against Aildiew HemsSer (withdrawn), John M'Connell, and Edward Benjamin, , costs 10s. Cd. were allowed. No costs were allowed in the cases of Jones, Harries, Wild, and Farnham. Those who pleaded guilty were called. Mr. Burnarn, for the defence, said these men had committed a breach of tho Act. Counsel pleaded for a nominal penally, because tho offences had been committed Ereatly in ignorance of the laws, excepting perhaps the ca.=e against Knight, whom the inspector held he had acquaintc<l with the law on the matter. • Inspector 'Westbroo_k said he. had informed Georgo Knight of the provision of tlie Act, and wns satisfied that the defendant know the section thoroughly well. His Worship said that the Act of theso seven offenders resulted in serious losses and inconvenience to employers. Substantial, penalties should be iihpwed, and particularly in cases where tho law was broken with knowledge. In tho cn.ee of Knight, the inspector said he fully informed him of the law. and told him that ho was acting in contravention to the Act. A penalty nf .€lO would be imposed in the caso of Knight, and tho other offenders .£3. Costs (75.) would bo allowed in each of tho cajos.