MR. YOUNG RESIGNS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1939, 23 December 1913, Page 6

MR. YOUNG RESIGNS.

STATEMENTS & DENIALS. LEADERS AT CRIPS. Mr. W. T. Young, secretary of tlio local branch of the Seamen's Union, has now resigned his other positionthat of president of the Federation of Labour. In explaining his reasons for sending in his resignation, Mr. Young stated that the step had been taken as a result of misleading and incomplete public statements made at Newtown I'arlc and the Opera House on Sunday. Mr. "Young also stated that lie would probably address a public meeting within the 1 course of tlio next week, when lie would discloso the position both as to the striko and the Federation conference.

It is well known that tho attitudo adopted by Sir. Young during tho closing stages of the recent striko lias not been favourably received in certain strike quarters. Some of tho Federation officials have made strong romarks concerning their late president, and it was anticipated that trouble would ensue as soon as tho striko was officially called ; off. Those anticipations have proved correct. Did He Backslide? A responsible member of tho Seamen's Union (Air. H. W. Richards) has stated that 110 objected to Mr. Young being mado a scapegoat regarding the collapse of tho striko. 111 a strongly-worded defence of his secretary, Mr. Richards stated that an inference to be drawn from the remarks of several speakers at Newtown Park on Sunday was that Mr. Young had backslid. Air. Richards upheld Mr. Young's actions right through 'tlio strike. In explaining Mr. Young's absence from the Newtown Park meeting on Sunday .afternoon, Mr. Richards referred to his leader's bond to keep tho peace, and added that Mr. Young was not tho man to jeopardise his bondsmen's money. Mr. Richards then wont on to describe what took place at the Federation conference. He stated that some seven or eight nights ago it was decided by 14 votes to sto call the strike off. The reason was that there were 110 finances to carry on with. Ho also stated that the resolution was moved by Mr. P. Hickoy, secrotary of tlio Federation of Labour, and carried prior to tho seamen coming to an agreement with the omployors. According to Mr. Richards, the Federation officials wanted to put tho blame of declaring the striko off on to someone, and they had pnt it all on to Mr. Young. It was further stated that, at 0110 meeting. Mr. Young told tho men that ho had discovered tho actual position with regard to the striko fund. A sum of £1000 was required to carry on tlio business, and the Relief Com-mit-too had not a thousand pence in hand. In conclusion, Mr. Richards said: "Young could forseo tho shortage of money, and what was he to do about it? Tho fact is that tho mon wanted tho game to go 011—to encourage tlio strikers with false hopes." Federation Secretary's Reply. On tho above being referred to Mr. P. Hickoy 110 explained that it had been decided that what took place in tho conference of delegates during the last week was not to be mado public, and he was in duty bound to abide by that decision'. In contradicting Mr. Ricliards's account of the adoption of a resolution having reference to calling off tho striko on Sunday, December 14, Mr. Hiekey said that Mr. Richards was not a delegate at the conference, and, therefore, his report was absolutely incorrect. Tho Federation secretary had nothing to say concerning other matters mentioned by Mr. Richards.