INTERNAL UPHEAVAL

Evening Star, Issue 19699, 28 October 1927, Page 6

INTERNAL UPHEAVAL

FIGHT B LABOR GAMP REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE'S SPLIT . BOTH SIDES STILL WARRING. Chaos in tho cninp of the Otago Labor Representation Committee promises to completely destroy the functioning of that body. “The enmity is deplorable, and unless the workers can pull together in their own house bow can they expect to succeed P” One of the men closely interested in the committee had that to say on tho wrangling in the ranks; and both sides to the dispute, which is tho most serious in the committee’s existence, are agreed Unit the chaos is deplorable. A meeting of delegates to elect officers to the committee was called for last night, ft was the aftermath of the weeks of upheaval and confusion at the committee’s meetings. Over GO delegates attended. Two or throe weeks ago Mr W. Nash, secretary of the National Executive of the Labor Party, visited Dunedin with the aim of casting oil upon the waters and bringing the derelict ship of the committee salely to port. He made his report to the National Executive, by which the local committee must abide. Ho suggested that all positions should be rendered vacant, and that nominations for new office-bearers be called, the election to take place one month after tho closing of nominations. Therefore when the advertisement signed by W. W. Batchelor, tho committco’s secretary, appeared in the Press and announced that the election would take last night greater discord was promised. A bombshell was thrown into the meeting last night at the commencement. Mr Mark Silverstone, tho ex-president, on behalf of tile past executive, ruled that the meeting was not in conformity with the rules, and that as 30. days had not elapsed from the date of closing of nominations lor office-bearers any business transacted would bo null and void. The representative of the National Executive (Mr Jones) also supported Mr Silvorsfcone. Naturally, the meeting split up into two parties. Tho followers of the past president anil executive declined to take part in the meeting, but the opposition carried on. The opposition, it is stated, is led by, or is comprised of, six paid union secretaries and a small coterie of supporters. Officials were elected. Who are tho new office-bearers? A * Star ’ reporter was unable to get even an inkling of the business transacted when full inquiries were made this morning.

Mr Batchelor persisted in his “ luisli ” attitude of several weeks back, and to every question put to him the answer was; “I will tell you nothing.’’ He stated that if the unions wanted any information they would receive reports Irom their delegates, but nothing would come from him. So that is the position as it stands. A now committee lias been elected—and elected by a small minority, too, according to some of the delegates, among those ichaining from taking part in the meting. The six paid secretaries, it is stated, have a following ol about 20, while those opposed to their actions number nearly 60. For a long time the relations between the opposing factions on the L.R.C. have been far from harmonious Yet (strange are the workings of such bodies), the whole trouble has emanated from the appointment of a man to a committee which aimed at bringing social intercourse to all workers and to promote peace and solidarity among workers. A joint committee had been appointed to conduct a series of social evenings at the Trades Hall, whereby workers and their wives would meet together. The further purpose of the joint committo was to promote the cause of the Central Labor Office. “The whole _ trouble lias been that some of the union secretaries are drawing too .high a salary in relation to the union dues paid by the workers, and the ability of the secretaries,” stated one delegate to the committee. “The man about whom the trouble arose avowed be was a strong supporter of the principle of the Central Labor Office, and lie was appointed to the joint committee,” he added, “but it was found that ho was in favor of the pair! secretaries, although lie was a sellavowed supporter of the Central Labor Office. His resignation was demanded, and that started all the trouble.” The man about whom all the trouble has arisen told the ‘Star’ man that be was working for (lie Central Labor Office at tho time of Ids appointment to the joint committee, hut later ho had accepted a position as a union secretary. Members of the L.R.C. had shown bitterness towards him, and had demanded bis resignation. The union secretaries who were now in opposition to tho past executive had stood by him, as they considered he had not been fairly treated. From that da to enmity and cruel bitterness had been brought into the committee, and the split had come. He regretted that tile committee had shown itself lacking in cohesion for which it was working aiming tho Labor community. He was taking no part in the present wrangling. Supporters of the pa .A president and executive maintain that the opposition has acted in defiance of tho National Executive. “From year to year the National Executive is decided upon ns being the supremo authority on all questions arising between the annual conferences,” said one man, “The union secretaries and their supporters asked that tho National Executive should give its rulings on the questions in dispute. Wo agreed to abide by the ruling of the National Executive and its representative arbitrators, but the other side, which has received if anything the better_of the deal from tho National Executive, has openly acted in defiance of the executive’s ruling. The meeting last night was illegal, and the business done was null and void.”

The other .side, though, maintains that the meeting was in order. The lapsing of 30 days before the election was purely technical, one of the leaders stated. The meeting had been called under the official seal of the committee and the elections would stand. Both sides are now eagerly awaiting the views of the National Executive in Wellington on the latest development. Labor representation in Dunedin is topsy-turvy, and in view of the coming General Elections and the selection o for parliamentary honors the upheaval is being lamented by those who have the interests of Labor sincerely at heart.