CHARGE OF INTIMIDATION

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 35, 4 November 1922, Page 5

CHARGE OF INTIMIDATION

AGAINST A SEAMEN’S UNION SECRETARY. BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, November 3. In his absence at Wellington, Thomas Frederick Anderson, secretary of the Auckland branch of the Seamen s Union, was charged at the Police Court to-day with intimidation in. trying to compel Keith Belridge to abstain from, travelling on the steamer Arahura from. Auckland to Gisborne. It was stated that six men had been engaged to serve on the Baden Powell at wages said to bo less than union wages, and intended to proceed to Gisborne by the Arahura. This resulted in the Arahura’s firemen leaving the vessel. It was alleged that the defendant stated to the Union Company’s officials that the men were acting under his instructions, and tho Baden Powell’s men would have to leave the Arahura or she would not sail. Captain Dryden told Anderson he would get the men ashore, and Anderson spoke jo some of them, saying: "Be white men and leave the Arahura, or there will be trouble.” Thci men went off because they thought they would be put off. Captain Stephens, master of the Huanui. stated in evidence that the monthly wages to be paid to the crow of the'Baden Powell were £lB-tor-->H able seamen and £2O tor firemen, which * was above tho , union rates ( but they were not to receive overtime. Men. sailing out of Auckland in the same class of trade received less pay. [The conclusion of the case was not telegraphed.]