E.F.C.A. DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 March 1930, Page 12

E.F.C.A. DISPUTE

{Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 14. In an interview, Mr F. I. Lewin, President of the E.F.C.A., who has arrived in Wellington from Palmerston North, following the disturbance at the head office of the Association several days ago, states that he is at a, complete loss to understand the attitude taken up by the four members of the Executive Council concerned. Ho says that for some time there has been a feud in the Association as to whether active footplate men should be the only ones allowed to hold office, and apparently, Wednesday’s disturbance was the result of that. A statement has been made on behalf of the four Council members that the report of the events on Wednesday was exaggerated. The four include the Trustees and Treasurer of the Association and they became aware of the fact that no money had been paid into the Association's bank account since last August, aud. in order to safeguard the interests of the members, they decided to make investigation, but. were frustrated by Mr J. A. Veitch (acting-general secretary) who. they say. set himself up in that position.' They say that no physical force was used. In reply to the latter statement, Mr Veitch stated the reason why no money was banked since August was that one of the Trustees refused to sign any cheques. It had, therefore, been necessary to work on the money in hand, as it came in. An audit had been published in the last issue of the “Loco Journal,” the books being balanced to December 31, and the balance-sheet circulated to members of (lie Association, and therefore there was no necessity for any investigation.