UNION AND FEDERATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1921, Page 3

UNION AND FEDERATION.

AN INTERESTING POINT,

WELLINGTON UNION SUED.

Auckland, May 14. Once a union has affiliated with a federation of the trade it does not seem easy to get clear of the connection judging from facts disclosed during the hearing of a case before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M. The New Zealand Plumbers’ and Gasfitters’ Association (Mr. A. E. Skelton), by its secretary (Mr. John Clark), sought to recover from the Wellington Plumbers’ and Gasfitters’ Union (Dr. Fitchett) the sum of £B, stated to be due as capitation fee. Formal evidence was given that the defendant union was a member of the association, and that the amount claimed was owing. Copies of the rules were put in which bore the sea) of the union and had been passed by the Registrar of Industrial Unions.

In cross-examination the secretary admitted that the defendant union had forwarded its resignation, together with three months’ scbscription in advance. Mr. Clark claimed that the resignation could not be accepted until t'he provision of rule 15 had been complied with. This included a lot of matter, such as reasons for resigning, and notice to be signed by all the officers of the union.

Dr. Fitchett argued that the rule/upon which the suit was based was an unreasonable one, in that it rendered it practically impossible for the union to withdraw from the association.

After some argument, it was agreed to adjourn the case to enable both counsel to submit authorities in writing to His Worship.