PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2472, 10 April 1909, Page 5

PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS

ALLEGED BREACH OF CARPENTERS’ AWARD.

The Inspector of Awards (Mr. D. Carmody) proceeded against John Somervell, builder, at the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, in connection with two breaches of the carpenters* award. The first breach alleged against defendant was that on March 2 he employed a non-unionist carpenter, P. Murphy, while at the same* time there were members of the union out of employment, and whose names were entered in the employment hook of the union, and who were equally competent and ready and willing to undertake the particular work required to bo done. Plaintiff claimed a penalty of £lO, and a similar penalty in the case of a second non-unionist carpenter, Geo. Hall. Defendant failed to put in an apeaprance, and His Worship remarked that no defence had been filed.

The Inspector stated that defendant had employed the two men without making any inquiries if there were any union men available. Defendant had been fined previously for a similar breach, and he (Mr. Carmody) had been at great pains to explain to defendant the provisions of the Act. Under the circumstances, lie would press for the maximum penalty. His Worship inflicted a penalty of £lO in each case, a total of £2O. During the hearing of another case after lunch, Mr. J. R. Kirk appeared on behalf of Mr. Somervell, and explained that defendant had not appeared owing to a mistake, and did not intend any disrespect to the Court. Defendant had a defence to the claim of tho Inspector, and he (counsel) would ask for a re-lieariug. His Worship granted Mr. Kirk’s request, and fixed the loth inst. as the date for the re-hearing.