WATERSIDER’S PROTEST

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1938, Page 6

WATERSIDER’S PROTEST

LABOUR PRESS LEVY OPPOSED. [pee press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, August 8. A levy on members of the Lyttelton branch of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union for funds for a Labour Party newspaper, has drawn a public statement from a Christchurch member of a union, John Donnolley, who has resigned from the union, after 11 years’ membership. Dounolley refused to pay the levy, because he considered that it. was not constitutionally enforceable. He was some weeks ago deprived of his vote in union affairs.

Criticism of a compulsory levy on members of the union for such a purpose, recently made in the House of Representatives by Mr S. G. Holland. M.P., drew a resolution of protest from •the Wellington branch of the union. To this, Donnelley has sent a written reply. A copy of this reply has been given to the press. The reply states that what Mr Holland said was absolutely true. Dounolley undertakes to give evidence in support of Mr Holland’s statement if the Government is prepared to appoint a Magistrate to take evidence on the position.

Explaining his attitude to the “Press” to-day, Donnolley said that the decision to make the levy compulsory had been .passed, on a vote taken by a show of hands, and not a secret ballot. That procedure was against the union’s constitution, he said, and in his own opinion on that he had been supported by legal advice. “As soon as a decision to make the levy compulsory, so that members who did not pay it were deprived of a vote, was announced, I decided to resign,” said Donnolley. His resignation had been made on July 27, but, according to the union’s rules, he maintained, he remained a member until October 27 next.

Donnolley’s letter to the Secretary of the Wellington Watersiders’ Union reads as follows: “I have noted, with surprise, the action reported in the daily press by your branch of the union in reference to the Lyttelton watersiders’ case mentioned in the House by Mr S. G. Holland, M.P. Your union says that Mr Holland’s statements are wrong. Now. as a member of the branch at Lyttelton. I wish to inform you, your members, and the public generally that. Air Holland’s remarks were absolutely true, and, if the Government is prepared to appoint a Magistrate to take evidence. I will undertake to supply the evidence required. Since when has your branch been appointed to deal with the business of the Lyttelton branch? Mr Holland’s statement had to deal with the Lyttelton branch only, and if the Wellington branch does not compel its' members to pay levies against their will to the “Standard” newspaper, or the New Zealand Labour Party or to Ihe “Fighting Fund,” or to make new members pay .C4/17/- before they start work, then I am pleased to learn of it.”

Donnolley said that his motive in resigning from the union and in making public his protest was to maintain a principle. He did not believe in such compulsory payments, and he was prepared to fight for that principle.