CORRESPONDENCE

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1925, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE

W |.;s i, LAND JIMIIKU, V.’-L'KII ' SECRETARY. (To the Editor). Sir- Kindly aillow me space iu your valuable paper to refer to (*“’ scurrilous ami misleading statoincp l ' appearing in "Trulli” regarding AB‘ E. L Turley Secretary of the \\isstland Timber Workers’ Union. » ain not, concerned with the <|ueshoii involved in the “Truth” nrtb'o, out with my knowledge of TuUey’s masterly haiiidling of coinpeinalaon cns"S. which have been entrusted to him. 1 feel sure- his sumnud’y ol the question! answered in the ” Impiireff’s < oilier” is correct. I.bs assumption oa 15s per day raije lor ton hands seems to staggt/ (his organ <>/ vestv interests and prurient tastes, miscalled “TruHi.” In many al humble iimnc on the West Coast 'li.inklul hearts remember Fred 'lurleys k'ndh interest and suecesslul activity on ylieir b'eihalf during their time “i trouble. In passing, Sir. lon nionbion that, the general lAiccling " the Union will be held in P few dajs time, when the question of the appointment of a Secretaire will be considered. 1 do not, know if the pie simt Secretary intends to stand for (‘lection, but. .1 feel that th<‘ time arrived when (he position should i, made a more permanent one. In mo past it was verging on. the ridioulum to see the. Secretary forced each veal to light lor his position 'aiiid the con sequent array of forc< d recruits io Unionism solidly opposed to Ini' Surely the Secretary could be safely left in the bands ol li'j Executive t“ deal with, and, aS a further safeguard, any member of the I nion would have- the right i<» bring a ebargo against him and have the matter thoroughly invesl-igated. Sir, I think every effort, should be- made l‘> retain the services ol our present Secretary. Besides hi> vast knowledgc of compensation matter's, his work on the Coast in the interest'-’ of Labour, and hi.s sacrifice of home tile h»r ’l'° past six months 1" organize the al-inost-im possible North Island timbci workers, which by the wav is iv interests of all timber workers, ar 4 ' only in keeping with his work in the political splieiv of Labour. Mr. Tur lev more Ilian any olli<r man on th’' West, ('oast, was reS]M>nsil)le, in. my opinion, for the splendid display working class solidarity recorded at the ballot box last, election, and :r this is again election year, the i<asons for his retention as secretary ar. mor<' cogent. He was one ol i“■ original promoters. o| Hie pnrehase «• lb,, ••(kw River Argus,” for Labour, and has been a live wn<' director ever since, aind as bon. scerctaix of the Paper Board which, as a real power behind the Argus, has done solid work. Further afield his secretaryship io the Timber Workers Federation has galvainised that bodv info an .active adjunct of the militant Labour forces of New Zealand. In conclusion, I think that the Workeis should make an ellorf to retain Mr. Turley’s services on the. Uoa.st. W<• ;ii(' now Hi the throes of a trade (!-•■ prcssioii, when an a'live secretary is essential, if we hope to retain the position wo have gained, and I feel that his usefulness to the North F land Workers will be preserved b\ his advice a<s Secretary to the Fede ration, llowever, the matter is in I.llo' hands of the Workers, and I am only' giving my opinion, as I know the work accomplished by F- i<- li'.rley. I am etc. R. SOI I ER. Hokitika, June 29'.