18 MAY 1867, Page 3

Mr. Kitch is a builder in Bridgewater. He employed a

non- society man, one Jordan, and the Union ordered bier dismissal, under penalty of a strike. Mr. Kitch prosecuted the secretary, and the magistrates convicted him. He appealed, but the Court 'of Queen's Bench held that the conviction was legal, the Master and Servant Act being intended to meet just such cases of intimi- dation. The equity of the case as between the men and their master is a little doubtful, as he was not threatened with anything except the loss of their services, but as between the Union and Jordan there can be no doubt. He was clearly threatened with a heavy fine, by persons who had no right to fine him, for doing what he had a clear right to do. The Unions have a clear right to expel their own members, but not to coerce outsiders.