A CASE OF HARDSHIP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16485, 26 February 1914, Page 5

A CASE OF HARDSHIP.

WATERSIDE WORKERS' TROUBLES.

DEPRIVED OF HIS LIVELIHOOD. [Per Prbss Association.] AUCKLAND, February 25!

"There's no doubt about it, the strike has brought about most unfortunate result's,'"' remarked Mr F. R. Frazer, S.Mi, this morning, when Mr J. R. Lundon.p'ut in a plea of hardship on behalf of a man avlio was charged that he was an "die and disorderly person without means. Mr Lundon's statement was that the man undoubtedly had no. means at present, but that there were special circumstances. The defendant was a cripple, who had been earning his iivin'g'as a coalheaver and was a total abstainer, but he had been a member of the Federation of Labour and had to go out on strike. The result was that he was unable to get into the new Union and consequently could not get work. Since the strike he had obtained work on occasions, but not being a member of the Union he; had been put off when the' officials observed him at work. He was.a. good workman and the stevedores willing to take him on, bufunder their agreement with the Union they were subject; to n fine if they keot on men who-were not members of "the Union when there were Union, members available. Counsel suggested that tho publicity given the case might induce the Union officials to turn the blind eye if the man gdt work on the wharves. After some discussion,-the policeagreed tq..withdraw'the charge of vagrancy on condition that the man made another application to become a member of the,Watersiders' Union.