RIOTOUS LABOUR MEETING

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1390, 25 March 1912, Page 8

RIOTOUS LABOUR MEETING

DISSENSION IN THE CAMP. (By Tcleeraph.—Press Aasoeiation.) Auckland, March 23. A large meeting of timber workers held in the Federal Hall for the purpose of discussing the claims of (he Labour Federation, and Professor Mills's unity scheme, ended in a storm of dissension. Mr. Scott Bennett advocated the claims of the federation, Professor Mills his unity scheme. Sir. Bennett had a good hearing, but Professor Mills, on asserting that the threatened striko was the result of labour being divided, was assailed with cries of "Rot," and the interruptions continuing he descended from the platform. There was a call for unionists to leave the building, and an exodus commenced, but a call for fair play filled the vacant teak. Professor Mills resumed his argument, and declared that if tho unity proposals had been accepted tho present crisis in Auckland would never have arisen. Amid a chorus of dissent Sir. Fraser, president of the General Labourers' Union, commenced speaking from the back of tho building. In indescribable uproar Professor Mills said the. secretary of tho Timber Workers' Union had informed him the audience was evidently opposed to hearing him further, so he would cease. This was the signal for , a wild demonstration, and tho meeting ended with cheers for the federation, and hooting for Professor Mills.