CLAIM FOR DAMAGES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 1760, 27 May 1913, Page 6

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES.

ON UNION OFFICIAL. MEN ALLEGE INTIMIDATION. (By Telegraph.—Prca3 Association.) Auckland, May 26. An allegation, of intimidation on tho part of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union came before Mr. Justice Edwards at tho Supreme Court to-dav, when two former members—James Miller and Joel Smith—claimed .£250 and ,£2OO respectively from James Collott, formerly secretary of tho union.

Counsel for plaintiffs said that the union cancelled registration in May, 1911, plaintiffs being members. Both before and after this, each had befen fined by tho union for taking work at the ship's side instead of applying at the union s wait-, ing-room on the wharf. They had refused to pay tho fines. Continuing, -counsel said . that, on October 17, in consequence of a previous engagement to work a steamer at Chelsea, they boarded a ferry boat ill company with about 50 other men going to Chelsea. Just as the boat was about to leave, Cbllett rushed along the wharf, and ordered them to come off the boat. They would not do so, and Collett turned to the Union Company's foreman ordering him to send the men ashore. The i foreman asked what the charge against the men was. Collett did not reply, but called to tho other men, "Boys, don't start work!" When tho lwat got to Chelsea,' the whole gang refused to work unless tho two men were discharged, and the whole party returned to Auckland. Collett then notified tho Union Company's wharfinger that Smith and Miller were not members of the union. When tho men next went to the union's Tvaiting-room to obtain employment:, they were looked upon as trespassers, and forced to leave the room. Counsel claimed that each of these incidents formed a cau?e for action. The matter w-as a very serious oiig for both, men. They had been . ©timing on ail average i£3 10s. per week before the trouble. Miller, who was a married man with nine children, had since obtained employment as a tally clerk, and his average weekly earnings were about Smith, although he had been for 18 vcars a waterside worker, was unable to get any employment near the wharf, and had been doing casual work only. For the defenco it was contended that there had ljeen no causo for action. Under the existing agreement any union member who owed a fino exceeding threo months' contributions ceased to be a member. Decision was reserved.