MR PURTELL ON WATERSIDE WORKERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 280, 24 November 1915, Page 7

MR PURTELL ON WATERSIDE WORKERS.

fTo the Editor.) Sir, —Mr J. Purtell states in his letter On Monday that a previous waterfront union-expelled a member, and that member obtained £200 as compensation for illegal expulsion. I am the member referred to, and was expelled from the said union because I accepted work on one occasion outside the usual place of engagement. ■ For doing so I was fined £2 3/6 by the union, but refused to pay the same, because I maintained the line was illegal, and was thereupon expelled. I certainly obtained judgment for £200, but up to the present time it has not been paid. ,Mr. Purtell appears greatly indignant over/the action of the present union in expelling two members during the past half-yiar, but -why were they expelled? Not because they refused to pay an illegally imposed fine, but because they have both been convicted in the Police Court—one for theft, not cargo broaching, is at present serving a sentence of six months, and the othsr because he had been convicted on a series of charges, including assault. Mr. Purtell thinks these men have a just claim for compensation. Let him take action, but I doubt whether he will have the assistance of the Labour Representation Committee when they become acquainted with the facts.—l am, etc., JAMES MILLER, School Road, Morningside.