STRIKE FINANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 64, 16 March 1915, Page 2

STRIKE FINANCE.

THE HAMILTON COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNPAID ACCOUNTS. FARMERS' UNION SECRETARY REPLIES. VERY UNBUSINESSLIKE CRITICS. Some rather forcible complaints were made last week by members of the Hamilton branch of the Farmers' Union regarding the way in which the Provincial Executive of the union had dealt with certain financial matters arising out of the 1913 strike. In particular the members complained that the executive had failed to consider claims for the loss of horses and saddlery by "specials," and had also failed to deal •with accounts of expenses incurred by the Hamilton branch in enrolling "specials" and securing horses. The result of this, they stated, was that many accounts were still unpaid. INFORMATION WITHHELD. Mr. A. Sehmitt, provincial secretary of the union, was interviewed yesterday, on his return from a country tour, and made a fairly comprehensive reply to the charges. "I don't wish to make much of this dispute within the union," he explained, "but as the Hamilton people have made a public protest 1 ought to make a public reply." Regarding a statement that large sums were still unpaid, Mr. Sehmitt said that it was true that some accounts had not been settled. There was a reason for this. All accounts for expenses incurred by branches ■were discussed by the executive, and those that were in order were sent on to the Justice Department. Others were referred back to the branches, generally for fuller particulars as to why and how the expense was incurred. The Justice Department, in turn, 6ent back certain accounts for fuller information, and these were passed on to the branches concerned. The Hamilton branch had been kept posted in 4his way, but had failed to send the extra information required, and in one case a member of the branch had definitely refused to give it. The branch had been repeatedly asked to supply information about accounts paid direct by the Justice Department, but had failed to reply. It was thus obvious that some accounts must remain unpaid until the Hamilton branch presented them in proper form, together with other' information asked for.

"I may say," continued Mr. Sehmitt, "that when one or two matters between the union and the police are settled, the accounts will be audited, and a complete statement published in the Press. Mr. Gribble, the Hamilton secretary, states that he was told not to spare expense, as there was plenty of money in Auckland. What was meant was that there was enough money for hia expenses, and that he need not stint himself. No one meant him to understand that he could go as he pleased, and spend all the money he chose, j though that is apparently the impression he wishes to give." . THE HORSE QUESTION. tVilh reference to coafpJaints about lost horses and saddlery, Mr. Sehmitt said that all such cases had been dealt with when reported to troop commanders. Inquiries had been held and action taken. All the other cases, it was found, had not been reported to the proper officers, and as the claims were not made till after the strike was over, the executive could do nothing. In a good many compensation claims by "specials," the executive had paid out more than it had any need to, from the special strike fund, but it could not ask the Government to pay on claims like many of those now made.

Mr. Sehmitt had a reply to make to another charge—that the executive had persuaded "specials" to join the Farmers' Union, but had failed to send their names and subscriptions on to their local branches, as agreed upon. The executive had, in fact, carried out its agreement in this matter, but it hap pened that only one man from Hamilton was enrolled, and he was, on request, transferred to that branch. If any more had been enrolled, a difficulty would have arisen because the Hamilton branch had failed to send in membership lists, and had only four financial members on the provincial books at Auckland in 1914, and two in 1015. Thus it could only by courtesy be called a branch of the union.