FEDERATED SEAMEN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10316, 27 January 1927, Page 5

FEDERATED SEAMEN

SECIi ETA B Y AND A SSISTANT RETIRED. TROUBLE OVER SECOND UNION. WELLINGTON, Jan. 26. ft is reported that following a meeting of the memtlers of the Wellington Seamen’s Union yesterday morning a number of seamen proceeded to the office of the union at midday and took charge of the office, ejecting the secretary and his assistant.

It is understood that at yesterday's meeting the' seamen resolved that a “commission” be appointed to investigate the business affairs of the union. The subsequent occupa- ' tion of the office was merely the sequel to that decision. -For some time the union members have been divided into two factions and yesterday’s meeting gave ascendancy to one side. There was some talk later yesterday of forming a new union.- -P.A. Later. The seal of the Wellington Seamen's Union was re-registered m the Wellington Arbitration Court to day.—P.A. WELLINGTON, Jan. 26. Another stage in the Federated Seamen’s Union trouble was reached to-day when a Commission of Inquiry, which had been sitting for some time previously, delivered its report to a special 'meeting of members, after which, it is* stated, the secretary of the union (Mr. W. T. Young) and the assistant (Mr. Frank C. Howell) were formally retired from office. Four others were also struck off the union’s membership. A notice, posted outside the office of the union, set out in some detail ,„e result of the commission’s investigations and stated that the report, findings and recommendations were adopted by 181 votes to 2. It seems that exception was taken to the founding of a second union to which funds amounting to £2600’ were alleged to have been transferred without legal authority and a demand was made that this be refunded to the union. The meeting appointed the following temporary officers: President, F. P. Walsh: secretary, Felix Newfield; vice-president, Maurice Wall; treasurer, P. A. Butler, With regard to the organisation, the notice issued states that the union is now restored to its original basis and steps will he taken to hold a national* 5 election of officers as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.—P.A.