SEAMEN AND THEIR LEADERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 76, 31 March 1926, Page 8

SEAMEN AND THEIR LEADERS.

Sydney and Xew Zealand seamen have grown tired of the methods of Tom Walsh, the Melbourne leader of the union, and after the disastrous history of the union and its irritative methods during the past four years, it is small wonder. The internal difficulties which have arisen threaten to split the union. They began to be apparent beyond the ranks of the union during the recent strike of British seamen. During that strike a deficiency occurred in the finances of the Victorian branch of the union and in the strike fund raised on behalf of the British seamen, who had -deserted from their ships. The total amount of the deficiency is £020. It has been said in explanation of part of the deficiency thai the office of the Victorian branch was broken into, and that goods and levy coupons relating to the strike fund were stolen. At a meeting of the union in Sydney a committee of three, including Sir. J. Johnson, w-as appointed to investigate the finances of the Victorian branch. This action was resented by the Victorian officials, and when the committee went to Melbourne obstacles were placpd in its way to prevent it functioning. The Victorian officials contended that the Federal Committee should investigate the position, but the Sydney branch refused to agree to this, and endeavoured to prevent the committee obtaining the books of the union. They contended that the Federal Committee, minus a Sydney representative, was powerless, since nearly fifty per cent of the members of the -union were in the Sydney branch, and the Federal committee was unable to transact business unless 75 per cent of the union members were represented. Neither side would give wav, and the ultimate result was that Walsh applied for re-registration of the union, which was de-registered by the Court early last year, the object being to veto any examination of the afl'airs of the union by the Sydney branch, and to secure Walsh and his followers the absolute control of the union which he had maintained until Jacob Johnson and the executive of the Sydney Union challenged Jiis position.

While the quarrel was in progress tlv» coastal seamen struck over the question of pay for work on wharves. The union officials were so busy in their free fight among themselves that they could not find time to help the strikers, who now confess themselves beaten and have joined in a "sauve gui pent" rush back to the boats on the old terms.