UNLICENSED ALIENS IN CASUAL LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 91, 10 January 1918, Page 6

UNLICENSED ALIENS IN CASUAL LABOUR

BREACH OF WAR REGULATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, January 9. A case of interest to employers of casual labour, was heard at the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court this morniug, before Mr. Bailey, S.M., when Algot Forsberg and Walter Dixon were charged that, being unlicensed aliens, they were engaged in the work of unloading coal from the steamer Ngatoro, contrary to Clause 3 of the War Regulations of October 10, 1917. Both pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Jackson stated that the two men were mombers of an overseas British ship which had met with mishap in New Zealand waters. They were without a permit, and when approached by the Blackball Company they assisted to unload coal. Bot!i men —one an American and the other a Swede—stated that they had no idea they were committing a breach of tho War Regulations in giving their- services for half a day. when labour was scarce. Mr. Bailey, in fining each man 10s., said that the case did not call for a heavy fine, as the circumstances in which the men were placed were of a peculiar character. George Nadden, a Eervant of the Blackball Coal Company, pleaded guilty to a charge of employing the men, and Arnaud A. M'Kellar, manager of the company, also pleaded guilty to a similar charge. M'Kellar said that the coal was urgently wanted for the meat companies. In lining the manager 10s., Mr. Bailey said that the offence was only a small breach of tho regulations.