SMITING THE REDS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 28, 2 August 1927, Page 9

SMITING THE REDS

BRITISH SEAMEN ACT

HELP* THE MINERS' SPLIT

HAVELOCK WILSON'S

WEST

(United Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Received 2nd August, 9 a,m.)

LONDON, Ist August.

There was the liveliest of meetings with threats of violence at the Seamen's Delegate Conference arising out of the £10,000 loan to assist in the formation of a new Miners' Union.

Antagonism to Mr. Havelock Wilson, president, was due thereto, also to his advocacy of withdrawal from the Labour Party and the formation of a nonpolitical federation or unionß.

EXPtTLSION OF MEMBERS. The meeting began "by suspending Delegates Copter and Bond for allegedlymaking speeches inimical to the union. Many other delegates were removed, ostensibly because their credentials were irregular. Thereafter the „ „ ii,,., stewards closely Kr.Hava.ookW.lson. guarded ■ th » building. Conflicting agendas had been • prepared—one by Mr. Havelock "Wilson, and another by the _ secretary, Mr. Davies, who is seeking a legal injunction against the union granting the loan till the branches have endorsed the proposal. Mr. Davies said that he had addressed many branches on the subject, and all had registered a hostile vote. He declared«that Mr. Wilson, without any authority, has suspended three officials opposed to his policy. Mr. Davies threatened, with the support of the thirty expelled delegates, to hold a rival conference, but the meeting, by 52 votes passed a vote of confidence in Mr Havelock "Wilson.

A motion was tabled to suspend the retiring age rule, so that Mr. Wilson will continue in office until the Red movement has been scotched. Mr. Wilson proceeded to attack the secretary, saying that he could not work alongside him, because he would not properly attend to his-duties. Mr. Davies interrupted, protesting that according to the rule's the president had no right to discuss the conduct of officials.

Mr. Wilson retorted that he intended to proceed, whereupon Mr. Davies walked out.

Later Air. Davies convened a rival conference at a local hostelry, which was attended by expelled members

TWO VICTORIES RECORDED.

Mr. Wilson then asked the conference to suspend Mr. Davies on the grounds or incompetence and disobedience. The motion was adopted unanimously and a committee was appointed to report on the conduct of Mr. Davies and others. Mr. E. Catherey was-appointed secretary, pro tern. lf Later there came a second victory for Mr. Havelock Wilson when the confermTner^to^' * * the

t f C? h} e i message received on 10th July stated: ''There is considerable bitterness m Labour circles as a result of the action of the executive of the Seaber of the House of Commons It i s significant that Mr. Havelock WiLn has taken up the position of di-eetor of publicity of the lew Industrial6^