SHEARERS' SECTION

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 91, 13 December 1912, Page 12

SHEARERS' SECTION

A SHEARER'S DISMISSAL. The dismissal of a shearer by a "Maori boss" was the subject of a caee brought before Mr. S. E. McCarthy, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, Napier, recently, when the inspector of awards (Mr. J. Jackson) proceeded against F. L. Gordon, of Clifton station, for a breach of the shearers' award, and claiming £20 penalty. Mr. Jackson appeared for the Labor Department, and Mr. P. S. McLean for defendant. In opening the case, Mr. Jackson said Gordon was proceeded against for diecriminating against Samuel Hawkins, a shearer and a member of the "Wellington Shearers' Industrial Union, by dismissing him from his service without justification, Hawkins having committed no misconduct as would justify such discharge under general law. "It has been, and is now, apparently, the custom of employers in the Hawke's Bay district," he continued, "to authorise individuals in the person of a 'Maori boss , to engage for them all labor required during the shearing season — shearers and shed hands." In this case Pikf Waera was the Maori boss, and Hawkins, his wife and niece were engaged by him on October 16. Hawkins alleged that he had turned up for work at the shed, and asked the head man for a "pen." He was refused and advised to see Mr. Gordon. This he did, and was told by Mr. Gordon that "he would have none of the Hawkins family on the run." Gordon declined to give any explanation or reason for this action. Hawkins returned home with his wife and the other Maori girl. Hawkins had refused two offers of other stands, because of his engagement to work for Gordon. Hawkins had never previously worked for Gordon, and he was now out of employment. Evidence to this effect was given by Samuel Hawkins, who stated that thoueh he was engaged he did not t<urn up till several days after the specified time. This was because of the wet weather. Alexander MoLeod, secretary to the Shearers' Union, also gave evidence, and this closed the caee for the prosecution. Mr. McLean, submitted that the defence had no case to answer. His Worship said he would reserve the point. Frank L. Gordon gave evidence to the- effect that he had no wish to employ Hawkins or any of his family. This was because of—(1) his reputation for roughness, (2) his social standing, and (3) past trouble with him. When Piki Waerea, the 'Maori boss," was engaged, he was told not to engage any of the Hawkins family. , Mr. Jackson: We get down to this: that you dismissed this man because he is not a desirable character. —Tes. You have a private reason? Mr. McLean: Hawkins lives with a wEite woman, and that is the private reason. Mr. Jackson: The position is that he is discriminated against because he is married to a white woman. I have no more to say. W. Johnson deposed that he arranged teams for shearing sheep. His operations covered about 30 sheds in Hawke's Bay, with about tnreequarters of a million sheep. Witness would not pass Hawkins on his list. Mr. Jackson. Why? Because he is a poor man?—No; Sam Hawkins is a man who goes about with a grievance and causes trouble. This concluded the evidence, and after his Worship had heard legal argument. from Mr. McLean he reserved his decision. —Exchange.