UNION’S METHODS ATTACKED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2503, 7 November 1922, Page 3

UNION’S METHODS ATTACKED.

WAS IT A STRIKE LEVY? Wellington, Last Night. A case of great interest to unionists is being heard in the Supreme Court, before Mr Justice Hosking and a jury. Five members of the Waterside Union are each claiming a writ of mandamus ordering the Union to recognise them as members, and an injunction restraining the I'nion from representing them as non-members, and £5Ol damnges. Mr Watson, counsel for plaintiffs, explained tlml the case arose out of the Fniou’s demand for £1 ns an 'annual levy, to which plaintiffs and many others objected on principle, and which had to tie pan! before lliev were permitted to work on the waterfront. There was no intention of attacking unionism as such, Iml appellants claimed that the imposition of the levy was the wrongful act of n small coterie, winch had control of the local lotion and hud exceeded its legal powers. Out of 8,fllll» members in Now Zealand only 1,400 had paid Hie levy. It appeared that t'lii l Wellington ( nion look a more drastic view of the nmlter than other unions. The levy was slated to he for a defence fund Inn the minutes of the 1020 Conference -bowed il was intended |o he a strike fund, estimated to produce £B,OOO a year. There had been in, special meeting of the 1 nion to decide whether the levy should he imposed, hut at several meetingthere was considerable uproar when the levy was under consideration. The imposition was confirmed at tin* 1021 Conference and counsel declared that the Wellington Union, at the beginning of 1022. set out |o disregard all rules.