UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5025, 14 November 1918, Page 2

UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT

WATERSIDERS AND PROCESSION.

SEQUEL TO REPORT OF A

MEETING.

UNION SECRETARY’S EXPLANATION. There was an unfortunate occurrence in connection with yesterday’s celebrations in’ Gisborne. A meeting was held at the waterside workers’ shed on Tuesday evening, at which Mr. D.' AV. Coleman presided, when it was decided on a close vote or eight to seven that all the units •of organised Labor would not be represented in a body at yesterday’s function. AVhen the members of the Waterside AVorkers’ Union turned up in force to take part in the procession it was explained by S.M. McLoughlin, who was acting as marshal, that in view of the publication of the announcement of the decision regarding organised Lalbor, no specific provision had been made for the inclusion of the union members, but he readily offered- to stop the procession and find a place for the watersiders. This could'have easily , been done without confusion, but, it is asserted, the offer was not received by a certain section in the spirit in which it was intended, and during the argument that ensued a bystander struck the sergeant-major a heavy blow on the chin. S.M.' McLoughlin kept himself admirably in hand, and endeavored by tactful handling to avoid a scone. Subsequently a place was duly found for the watersiders in the rear of the procession. Reference was made to the matter by Air. D. AV. Coleman in a speech at the Domain later in the day, when lie said: “A good many of you will no doubt, perhaps, have heard that there was a little misunderstanding at the commencement of the procession, when tlie waterside workers, through this misunderstanding, were debarred from taking the place which, had been allotted to them. The secretary of the AVatcrside AVorkers’ Union and myself have interviewed the military authorities and they say that it was a distinct misunderstanding.” in connection with the paragraph that appeared in these columns yesterday to the effect that a mass meeting of unionists was held in the Waterside AVorkers’ shed when it was decided that organised Labor take no part in the procession, Mr. G. Hart (the secretary of the AA raterside AVorkers’ Union) wishes us to state that that has nothing whatever to do with his union. His union had stuck to its decision to turn out. j The facts of the case were me m- ; forms us) that about 14 or 16 per- j sons met there to consider the question of all unions turning out in one great body, but it was thought by | some there that it would be impos- ■ sible to arrange that and he under- , stands it was decided to take no ac- j tion. _! But he wishes to assure the puonc , that his union was all along in favor ; of turning out. The secretary would like the persons responsible for the insertion of the paragraph to give him a call at his office m the shed. [AA 7 hen this paragraph was handed in and publication requested, mquirv was made as to its correctness, and the names of its authors were required to he given. AVe were assured that its publication was dcsirpcl in authoritative quarters. —Ed. U. l .J