STRIKE IN THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1922, Page 4

STRIKE IN THE SOUTH.

CHARGES OF TAKING PART. SUGGESTION OF INTIMIDATION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, -Last Night. At the Magistrate’s Court the inspector of awards proceeded against 14 members of the Freezing Workers’ Union for allegedly taking part in a strike, a penalty of £lO being claimed from each. The first case taken was against George Collister, an employee of the North Canterbury farmers’ works at Kaiapoi. Lengthy evidence was given regarding what had happened at the four works in the vicinity of Christchurch. It was admitted the defendant was the last freezing chamber hand to leave at Kaiapoi and it was possible he might have been driven out through intimidation. Frederics Chag. Ellis, secretary of the union, said he had made statements to the effect that the union knew nothing about the matter. The Magistrate (Mr. Wyvern Wilson) : That, is a statement that makes one think, and think Seriously. If a union is supposed to control its members and does not, what is the use of it, and what is the use of preference to unionists. To Mr. Thomas (counsel for defendant) witness safd he had given no instructions to strike. Counsel submitted that if a certain number of men left work and intimidated the rest the latter could not be fined as parties to a. strike. If there had been a strike at all it had been a sectional one. The Magistrate reserved his decision in this and the second case and the remaining cases were adjourned until the decision has been given.