CLAIM AGASIBT A UNION-

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2580, 14 August 1909, Page 5

CLAIM AGASIBT A UNION-

AX INTERESTING CASE—JUDGMENT FOR THE UNION.

[Peu Puksb Association.] DUNEDIN, August 13

A case of interest to labor unions and their officers was heard .at- Kaitangata yesterday before Air. Kenrick, S.M., when Alfred AVeston, miner, sued the Otago Coal Miners’ Union for £l7 18s Bd, being balance owing on a sum of £3O 18s- 8d; which he claimed for services rendered as a member of the executive council, president of the union, and miners’ representative at conferences, etc. It appeared that the practice had been to pay the president £lO a year, each member of the executive committee £5, and to allow the miners’ representatives attending the Arbitration Court or an outside meeting of the conference 10s per day as wages and 10s per day expenses, in addition to traveling fares. In the course of evidence it appeared that in Julv, 1907, the union had funds in the bank and cash in hand amounting to somewhere about £450, and that there had been a special levy in 1908. which was estimated to have produced about £l5O, all of which money was gone, whilst- debts and liabilities to the amount of £3OO or £4OO were owing, in giving judgment, the Alagistrate said that in January or February, 1908, the president knew there was trouble about'moneys due from branches, and which was reported not to have been received by the head office. He drew up a report on the matter, but for five meetings did not submit it to the members. In 111 at respect His Worsliip thought the president had failed in his duty. It also appeared that the president had on six occasions broken the rule relating to payments being made by cheque. No legal claim had been established by the president or executive members to payment claimed as officers. As'to the claim for wages, expenses, and fares, His Worship held they were incurred without proper authorisation, as the annual meeting had not been held at the proper time. Judgment was given for defendant.