Summonses Unserved on Watersiders

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 58, 11 March 1944, Page 5

Summonses Unserved on Watersiders

MAGISTRATE’S POINTED COMMENT (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 10. Last month 33 summonses were issued on behalf of the Inspector of Factories charging members of the Wellington Harbour Board Employees’ Union and the Wellington Waterside Workers Union with being parties to a strike contrary to the Strike and Lockout Emergency Regulations. Only nine summonses were served and in the Magistrate’s Court Mr. W. H. Cunningham, on behalf of the Inspector of Factories, stated that the Labour Department did not intend to proceed with those not served. The Magistrate (Mr. Goulding): Why is that? Aren’t they arising out of the same circumstances ’ He added that in his opinion all the men concerned should have appeared. He disliked this method of procedure very much. ‘ ‘ I can see that the Court may become improperly a party to some form of discrimination,” he continued. “They should all be served so that if all are summoned they should all appear.” The Court proceeded with the charges against’ three employees of the Wellington Harbour Board concerning failure to work overtime on the Tamakine on February 15. At the conclusion Mr. Cunningham said he would like to discuss the matter of the unaerved summonses further with Air. Goulding and the charges against the six watersiders already served were therefore adjourned. Counsel for the three employees of the Wellington Harbour Board said the real issue so far as his clients were concerned was whether there was any obligation in the law to work overtime. The Alagistrate reserved his decision.