CONTRIBUTIONS TO A UNION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 1 April 1909, Page 3

CONTRIBUTIONS TO A UNION.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, the Manawatu Flaxmills Employees’ Union sued Frank Davis to recover the sum of 13s 6d for contributions.

Mr Robinson, Secretary for the Union, said defendant was a member of his Union, and' in July, 1907, had applied for a clearance, as he was leaving the distritt. This was granted. Defendant returned to the district in May, 1908, and commenced to work at a flax mill. Defendant was again put on the list of paying members of the Union. This course had been followed in several other cases, as witness considered that the clearance granted was only for the time that defendant was away from the district, or away from the industry. The Magistrate said that his opinion was that if a member got a clearance, he was no longer a member of the Union, and would have to join again in the usual way. Mr Robinson said if that was the case, members who did not want to pay their contributions could knock off work for a couple of days and then apply for a clearance, on the grounds that they had left the industry. In that way they would be able to get round amended rule 26, which read: —

No member shall withdraw from the Union except by giving three mouths’ notice in writing to the Secretary of his intention so to do. All contributions and other dues owing by any member must be fully paid before he can withdraw from the Union. Every member who resigns from the Union whilst engaged in the Flax Industry covered by an award* of the Aibitration Court shall pay a retiring fee of five Pounds, but this shall not apply to members retiring under the provisions of Rule 27, which reads; — Any member clear on the books of the Union desirous of leaving the calling to follow some other calling shall be entitled to a clearance card signed by the President and Secretary, and any member of the calling producing a clearance from a recognised Flaxmills Employees’ Union shall be admitted to membersh** of this Union free. The Magistrate said that if any member acted as suggested by Mr Robinson, it would be a case of fraud, and could be dealt with by law.

Mr Robinson said that when he told defendant be was going to again put him on the list of paying members, he made no objection. The Magistrate said that there was nothing in the rules of the Union that allowed members who left the industry for a time, and then returned, to be again put on the membership roll without again making application. Judgment was given for defendant with costs.

Mr Robinson asked for leave to appeal, as he understood this question had been fought out before, with a different result. The Magistrate said it was not necessary to get his permission ; where it was a point of law there was no need to get leave to appeal..