Notes from Kaitangata.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 20, 21 July 1911, Page 11

Notes from Kaitangata.

The case in which Mclnnes was suing the Union for 12s 6d for two hours of his valuable time, which was taken up at a cornerence with the management of the -Kaitangata mine, was concluded at the court on the 13th inst. In giving judgment the S.M. remarked that on tne principle oi the case Mclnnes aad no claim on the Union, and judgment would be given tor the Union on tne principle, but seeing tnat the cxc» cutive had passed a resolution to pay 2s yd tor ins services he -would get judgment for that amount. At the same sitting the Union brought a matter wlncn Liiey con tended was not provided for in tlie award, before the S.M. for settlement. We were treated to a most surprising spectacle of reversal of magisterial red-sunnig. it will be recollected tiiat in tlie report, which appeared in tnese columns, of tlie last case wiuch tlie same S.M. heard he gave judgment not on what the clause in tne award literally meant, but on what the intention ot the parties was. in other, words, instead of doing what ue should have done oy giving a legal interpretation of tne ciause, Ue admitted evidence of tne intention of the parties, and finished up oy giving a decision in la your ot tlie employers. Then m tne otner matter heard a month later lie said the onion contended that tins ciause mount soinetxiing otner than wnat it appeared to mean. But that is a matter 1 have no power to go into. "This matter," he continued, "appears to mc to be provided for and if the Union let it go at that wnen the agreement was made, that is their misfortune." The union was prepared with evidence to prove that the matter was not provided for, to prove what the intention of the parties was, but the S.M. would not hear any evidence from them. He simply took the award and gave a legal and literal interpretation, thus again being able to decide in iavour of tlie employers. No doubt m this case he treated us to good law. iiut wny should he let himself be swayed by evidence of intention on tho hrst occasion and on the second not listen to evidence? He held that the two cases were not on ail fours with one another. That may be apparent to the subtleties of the magisterial mind, but not to us. It is quite evident that we have nothing to lose by getting away from the Arbitration Act. i'he employers are in the happy position of "Heads I win, tails you lose," while we remain under that Act. What is the good of being tied up with an Act that gives you no redress when your members get victimised like ours aave been at Green Island ? And, further, lets the employers pjay fast and lotse witii an award wnen one is made? liet those stick to the Act- who derive any benent from it, .but we are not of 100 num ber.—SPhICTATOIi.

H. M. Hyndman, tne veteran Britisii Socialist, is preparing a volume oi reminiscences. It deals with Mr. Hyndman s career down to 1890 or thereabout, and Uas something to say about Italy, Jbrance, Australia, Polynesia, and a good deal about Socialism. Mr. Hyndman gives separate chapters or sections on Mazzini, Marx, Garibaldi, Morris, Meredith, .Lord Randolph Churchill, Dizzy and other persons of note whom lie has known. It should prove a most readable book. There is a fighting parson in North Queensland named Sams. He has entered for the North Queensland amateur championship at Charters Towers. In the event of victory the Rev. Sams retires to devote the remainder of his life to hooking and jabbing his satanic Majesty.