SLAUGHTERMEN'S FINES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2454, 19 March 1909, Page 4

SLAUGHTERMEN'S FINES.

deputation to the premier. (Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 18 ; The Premier was interviewed by deputations on matters of public impor---tanco to-day. , . Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P., mrodueed adeputation of slaughtermen from the . Christchurch Meat Company’s Islington.-< works. He stated that the company had been asked by the Labor Department to withhold payment of wages duchy several men until the amoupts owing : by them in respect of fines imposed on them in connection with the strike in the slaughtering trade two or three years ago were paid. Since the issue of the notice to the company, the Department had found out that it hadi made an error, and now asked that 4 only the amount over and above £2 per" week due to the men should be deducted in satisfaction of the unpaid fines.Mr. Taylor added that the men only started "work two or three weeks ago.Since the commencement of the slack season last September, they had practically earned nothing, whilst they had run up bills with tradesmen. They were willing to pay one-quarter of the amount owing on the fines every fortnight until the fines were wiped out. He considered the Department’s proceedings abrupt and severe, and questioned whether the-Department had any right to make the provisions of last year’s amendment of the Arbitration. Act np- - ply retrospectively in respect of the col- - lection of these fines.

Sir J. G. Ward, in reply, stated that he did not think the Government would entertain the suggestion that the penalties imposed by the Court -should be re- - mitted. If such a course were taken in respect of penalties imposed on the workers, then the employers would have - an equal right to similar treatment. If that were done, it would mean preliminary steps to tli© abolition of the iaw. He saw no reason why in the present instance the men should not be allowed to pay in easy stages. The Government . were far from being desirous to deduct from tile men’s wages amounts that would inconvenience them or their families. He would be prepared to recommend the Labor Department to accept one-fourth of each amount duo every pay day, until the whole of the arrears } were wiped out. He would telegraph - to the Minister and ask him l-o acceptpayment in four instalments.

A member of the deputation said he did not believe in the company deducting the amount from wages. It- was getting away from the Truck Act. They wished to pay the money direct t-o the Labor Department themselves. Sir Joseph Yard raid lie would include a suggestion to the effect mentioned in his telegram to the Minister. Regarding Mr. Taylor's point as to-the retrospective action of last year’s amendment of ike Act, he said lie was advised that such retrospective action was right, and that provision was made in the Act for the collection of fines. It had been intended to act retrospectively, inasmuch- as the prevision mentioned took the place of a provision under the previous Act imposing imprisonment. The provision in the new Act was not, properly speaking, retrospective.