DUNEWN LEADERS CHARGED.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1921, 2 December 1913, Page 6

DUNEWN LEADERS CHARGED.

IBM DEFENCE FAILS.

BOUND OVER TO KEEP PEACE.

(Br Tde*rapli.~Pfess Association,} „ , ptsncdirij December 1, lhe. l'olico Court was crowded this morning, when six members of lhe Strike Übimnittcc—Robert Miller, Alexander- May, James Preudergast, William Jo 111 Dwight-, Joseph Moorehead, and John Griffon—were brought before Sir, "• S.M. As the men walked into t'lio court on their way from gaol, iind before- the magistrate lock his seat, there was a light applause from tiio body of tlie court.' The charge, preferred against tiiem sot forth — That ou November 2-1, at Bunodiii, tliey did send for Richard Ibmtson, when lie was working on t!ie wharf, ami did urge him not to continue to work 011 the wharf or to continue to be a special const-able, and did give him a. signed and waled safe conduct pass, protecting him from, assault on consideration of his not working, and did order him not to leavo tiio room until -ho divulged tho name of tho person who advised lum to bo a spccial constable, and that, from that and other til routs and conduct used by them, lio is afraid -that they will do him bodily harm, and therefore prays that, they may bo requited to keep the pcaco and bo of good behaviour to him.

Mr. J. F. M. Fraser appeared to prosecute, and Mr. Hanlon and Mr. Hay appeared for accused. On the application of Mr. Hanlon tho Magistrate struck out. tho words "and bo of good behaviour.'' "Sand of Cowardly Bullies." Mr. Fraßcr referred to recent cases of cowardly assault, and suggested that tho facts would prove that accused wero responsible for such acts. Counsel went 011 to say that a man named l'c-at, a draper, who was out of work, joined tho men working 011 t.ho wharves ou November 21 and 22. Ho made a, rapid passage from tho Mornington tram to tho floor of a collar in tho Grand Hotel. He did not- know how he got tliere, but 110 knew that ho was kicked and bruised. Ho boro traces of tho kicks. On November 24 he went to tho office- occupied by defendants, who were in tho room. He told tliem that- 110 did not intend to do any work on tho wharf while tho strike was on, and he was told that ho had mado a mistake in going to work. He told them that 110 had been assaulted, and they said that if ho signed a paper' agreeing to do no more work ou the wisarves they would guarantee that he Would not be assaulted. Then they made him sign a document. They said to Peat; "There is a man named Ibbit•son on the wharf, and now that you aro exempt, you are to try to get him away. Wo know him, and if ho comes oft' the wharf he wis! not ho molested, but if 110 does not we will not bo responsible for anything tliat happens to him." l'cat went to Ibbitson, and, in consequence of what ho said, they, returned to the watersido workers' office. When Ibbifson got there he was met at- the barricade by Prendergast, and escorted by him, First of all 110 said that 110 was prepared to give his word not to return to work, and Prondcrgast replied: "That is all right; como along with me." They went to tiio men's office, where Ibbitson was asked if ho was a special constable. • Ho replied flint ho was, and then the spokesman asked him if he had been persuaded to become a special constable, and ho said 110 had been. As n matter of fact 110 had not been. Ho was then asked to give tho nam© of tho person who persuaded him. Ho refused to give tho name, and then Miller said, in a menacing tone: "I suggest you need not loavo this room until you do I" Ibbitson replied; "You aro trying to intimidate 1116," and Miller replied: t; Do not. start bluffing." A paper was put before him, and lie as asked to sign it. Ho refused at liret, hut ultimately agreed to sign, and then asked for tho usual safe-conduct pass against violence, which was given. Ttoy prepared a document, headed: '-'Dunedin Watersido Workers' Industrial Union of Workers' Good Faith Agreement." What Ibbitson signed was that lie would 110b return to work carried on by "scab" labour, and that he would porsuado others not to do so. 'flic <locn* meiit added"Should tho bearer l>o attacked or assaulted by any person or persons thinking him to bo a freo labourer, kindly refrain from'so doin« on production of this agreement. Counsel said that accused were members of a- band of cowardly bullies and hooligans, who wore terrorising the community, and ho asked that they all bo bound over to keep the peace. Evidence on the- lines of counsel's statement was given by W. Peat. In cross-examination witness said that only one man suggested that Ibbitson should not be allowed to kavo the room until ho told who had persuaded him to become a special constable: the others pi>o?s-poohed tho suggestion.' Evidence was also given by Richard Ibbitson.

Line of Defence Taken, Sir. Hay said the evidence to ho given for tho defcnco would show that it was part of the duty of the accused to dissuade strikers a»d others from (breaking the pcaee, and to conduct the' strike in a lawful manner; The cftfeneo would show tlmt the grounds of complaint were untrue. It would also show that Peat decided not to return to work, and that ho informed the Strike Committee that lbbitson was of tho same mind. Peat volunteered to bring lbbitson to tha committee's offico, Counsel denial the allegation that lbbitson was urged not to contniue work on tho wharf or to continue to be a special constable. Ho said lbbitson had made up bis mind that he was not going to work on the wharf, and, after Peat saw him, lie did not intend to work there. Aeeuscd advised lbbitson \unt to work as a special constable, but it was merely talk. Ibbitsoii's action before the committee and on leaving tho wharf disproved tho assertion {hat bo was afraid i of them doing him bodily harm. . Evidence in support of -counsel's ■statement was given by tho six accused and by J. 13. M'Manus. The Magistrate said ho.preferred to believe the evidence of the witnesses for tho prosecution. He bound tho accused over to keep tho peace for six months each iit their own recognisance of £100 and one surety of £50. Mr. J. Dowgraj's statement on Sunday night that ''tlio shearers art- going to'tako part in this game now," is regarded as bluff by those who know anything of the shearers and thoi.r organisation. It is pointed out that Mr. It. Scrapie on Sunday, November 9, made a statement that every shearer in New Zwihim! would bo "out the day after tomorrow." That is that they would ccaso work on November 11. Mr. Dowgray did not go so far on Sunday night, but merely said: "I am quite safe nil propwsyiiifi that by the end of this week there will not Iks one shearer shearing in tho Wairaraj>a district." Inquiry was made yesterday as to whether there was any probability of the shearers as a body taking no'to of tho federation call, and the opinion seems to bo held that they will shear as long as there arc slice]) 'to lie shorn, and cease work only when all the shearing i 3 done. Olio facetious individual remarked that if Mr. Dowgray rciliy believes in his own prophecy ho must have received word thai nil the sheep in tho Wairarauu have alreadv bevn shorn,