LABORERS UP IN ARMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 24 May 1912, Page 8

LABORERS UP IN ARMS

COMRADE'S DISMISSAL. Auckland, Sunday. The dismissal of a laborer named i Hayes from the employ of the Mount AlJ bert Borough Council led to the calling ; of a meeting of the General Laborers' ] Union. The meeting was held in th» I Trades Hall, and was largely attended. I A charge of victimisation was laid | against Mr. O'Grady, the "works foreman j employed by the Council, who was ali leged to have procured the dismissal of Hayes without sufficient cause. Mr. • O'Grady was present, and stated his case, after which a lengthy and heated 3iscussion was held, most of the speakers favoring the dismissed man Hayes. Eventually it was decided that a deputation from the union should wait upon the Mayor of Mount Albert (Mr. M. J: Coyle) in order that a thorough enquiry might be secured. Messrs. J. Collett, M. Richards, M. O'Brien and M. Ryan were appointed to form the deputation. The -opinion expressed by the meeting was that the evidence obtainable indicated that it was a case of victimisation. Unless other facts were placed before th« deputation to alter this 'view, it was considered that Hayes had been dismissed because he was a prominent unionist, though it was stated during the meeting that the borough foreman (Mr. Hope) had said that Hayes was a good worker, but had grown fond of stopping to discuss socialism and labor matters, and, when under better supervision, had become insubordinate. Towards the closa j of the meeting it was frequently stated I that the trouble might result in a strike i of the laborers. The deputation waited on the Mayor of Mount Albert yesterday afternoon, and it is understood that the matter has been amicably settled.