WORK AND WAGES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2022, 6 March 1907, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

Press Association. | CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday. In the Arbitration .Court to-day 130 slaughtermen from Islington and Belfast works woro charged with a breach of section 15 of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, a clause designed to make strikes and loeksout illegal. The body of tho Court was filled with persons charged. Mr. Stringer, Crown Prosecutor, represented the Labor Department, with Mr. White, Crown Prosecutor at Timaru, assisting. Mr. Dougall appeared for the slaughtermen. Air. Mackay, secretary of tho Department, and Mr. Shannon, local officer, , wore also present. Mr. Stringer said the men were divided info two

•'roups, one employed by the Christchurch Meat Company at Islington, but both eases would bo taken together for convenience, as the evidence was the same. Mr. Dougall raised no objection, and the case is proceeding. CHRISTCHURCH, last night.

In tlioArbitration Court counsel for tlio (lofonco indicated that ho intended to raise a technical point. The award of the Court was filed in 1901, and in 1904 was superseded by an industrial. agreement. Mr Dougall stated that lie proposed to argue that the agreement had not complied with the requirements of the law, and therefore was not binding. It had been sufficient, however, to terminate the award. Evidence from both sides was heard during the morning, the fact of concerted action on the part of the men being clearly etablished. The defence tried to show’ that the agreement had been signed by union officers on the authority of the executive, whereas the authority should have been given by a Union meeting. Mr Stringer led evidence to prove that the men accepted the agreement, and worked under it without raising objection. The cases will probably be concluded this afternoon. Tomorrow the Court will hear a charge against the Fairfield men at Ashburton.

POSITION IN SOUTHLAND. INVERCARGILL, last night. There are no new strike develop ments in Southland.