Waterside Case

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1922, Page 3

Waterside Case

A WORKER’S EYIDENCE. [by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Nov 7. ; The wntersiders levy case is still ho- ! fore the Court. Sir John Findlay, for tho union, said tho levy had been dis- ; cussed by the men at various meetings, . and was approved of by large niajoriI ties. It was a levy made in the inter- | ests of the men themselves, and it was I intended to protect tliem mid tlioir interests.

j Mr Roberts. Secretary of the Fe- | deration, said tho levy was made at i tbt suggestion of tin. unions. It i never was intended to pay the cxI peases of sending delegates overseas. | In reply to Mr l’crry, Roberts said it was not a most unusual thing for delegates to go to a Labour Confer- ' cnee with free hands. Delegates had no mandate. Witness did not christen it a lighting fund. Some New Plymouth men gave, it that name. A d<*fenee fund was a nice suitable name. iii- Honour: “We light to dnieml ourselves 1”

Witness said the men paid the levy voluntarily. Mr Glover (President of the Waterside Union) said that badgus were res introduced in 11)20. It was not compulsory to wear a badge. Its purpose was to enable the labour foremen to know who were members of tbe union. The reason certain men were brought before the executive was because the union, and not the executive, bad decided oil such a course. Ibe vote on tbe levy was taken in a perfectly fair manner. The statement that the balance sheet was kept from members was not correct, Tbe plaintiffs were tin. only men left who bad not paid the kvy.

Mr Watson: ‘ Are you a rcvolutioii:irv socialists”

'Witness: “What do yon mean by that? The term is too vague. Tell me your definition and then I will allanswer your question.

Mr Watson: “What do you mean by “job action?” Does it moan action oil the job to tbe detriment of ail employer?” Witness said that il these were nun who held that to he job action, lie did not associate himself with such men. Mr Watson asked witness if he had i.,.t sunken at the 1920 conference ot

“puttin'* into operation oil the job industrially all that they accuse you of doing. That, is the only effective wav to treat these parasites.” Witness: •‘That sounds all right. Mr Watson: “Gentlemen of the jury, 1 hope you will note that! Mr Wat-on asked: “You are also an advocate of a Council of Action ! Witness: “Yes 1” In reply to further questions witness said it was not a strike* fund, but a defence fund. As for the levy, it was bis doty to put into operation, as far as possible, any resolution carried. The bearing will be resumed tomorrow. FI YE AWARDS OF £2OB BACH. WELLINGTON. Nov. 8. Five wntersiders, Kohcit Gould, Charles Fat rick Ki vanagli. Michael 1-ledd.v. John Tildley. and William C'bar McG<". who sued tbe Wate.siders Union for £3Ol damages in respect of being barred from work on the waterfront, were to-day awarded £2OB each.