ARBITRATION COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 233, 25 September 1908, Page 4

ARBITRATION COURT.

AN INTERESTING POINT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganni, Thursday. An important point in connection with the Arbitration Act was disclosed a a result of the case heard at Ulic Arbitration- Court in which thirty employees of the Wanganni .Meat Freezing Company were ci,«rgert Willi striking. Evidence was given to the effect that the men stopped work in February last for twenty minutes only and demanded an increase in wages, a "round robin" being sent in to me company. Tlie men were informed that their action was tantamount to a strike. Hie men coittcnded that the award under which they were supposed to be working_ had been cancelled, and therefore inoperative. The company gave the increase demanded on protest, and the men returned to their work. They were subsequently given to understand that what had occurred was not a strike and that the Minister of Laborand tire Inspector of Awards agreed with this view. The Labor Department initiated proceedings subsequently, and the men were charged last Tuesday with striking. The Court reserved judgment. Later in the sitting, counsel for the men pointed out that the Wanganni Meat Workers' Union had been cancelled in IflOfi. and a. new union formed later in the year, the old union having lieconrn defunct. Counsel held that no award was in force, the formation of Iho new union not having 1 revived . Hie award. Counsel "for Che.' Department asked for time to consult' Wellington authorities, and. as a re-' suit. Ihe eases Were this morning with-' drawn on the ground raised by (he defence.