MINERS FEDERATION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2641, 25 October 1909, Page 4

MINERS FEDERATION

PRESENTATION TO MR P. J. O’REGAX. [Tim Piujss Association.] WELLINGTON. Oct. 23. Mr P. J. O'Regan, of Wellingtonwas entertained last night by delegates, to the Miners’ Federation, and presented with a gold watch, together with a bracelet, with watch attached, for Mrs O’Regan. Mr R. Semple, of Greymouth, made the presentation, speaking in high terms of appreciation of the services rendered by Mr O’Regan as attorney to the Miners’ Federation, but more particularly to the services given by Mr O’Regan at the time of trouble in connection with the miners"' complaint and the Compensation Act. Mr O’Regan was not the attorney for the Federation, but being on the West Coast at the time he took a leading part in the agitation against the medical examination of miners, an agitationwhich led to the Government indemnifying the Government Life InsuranceDepartment against claims arising from miners’ complaint. The Miners’. Conference discussed at considerable length a proposal that a scheme he formulated to provide for open resistance to any attemot to victimise thosv taking an active part in nothing the welfare of unions. The ■following motion was passed: “That when, the executive of any union considers there has been victimisation and no satisfactory reason given' by the employer, such executive shall have the rieht to sue in the Magistrate’s Court, and it it is proved to the satisfaction of the Magistrate that such victimisation exists, the employer shad be liable to* a penalty not- exceeding £50.”