SEAMEN’S UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1929, Page 8

SEAMEN’S UNION

DISRUPTIVE FORCES IN AUSTRALIA. AIR R. F. DELIAS MISSION. AUCKLAND, Dec. 3. Scaincii in New Zealand work under much hotter conditions than their fellows in Australia, according to Air Robert F. Roll, overseas representative of the British Seamen’s Union, who returned to Auckland by the Alnunganui after a short visit to the Commonwealth. Efforts were being made to crush the Socialist section or the Australian Seamen’s Union, Mr Bell said, but there remained much work to he done by the sane Unionists for the protection of their organisation.

“Australian seamen are gradually learning that sane methods are the surest,’’ said A!.r Dell. “The fact that many of them are out of work is one of the factors that is bringing the men to their senses, and making them realise the necessity of being reasonable in their demands. The Seamen's Union is making a determined effort stabilise conditions, but the antagonistic and unscrupulous methods adopted by the minority Socialist section are causing considerable trouble. This section has been a centre of disaffection in Australia and has caused untold harm. The men who comprise it call themselves Communists, but the majority of them have less idea of the meaning of Communism than the most conservative capitalist. They are ‘sclf’lits.’ They are working for their own individual ends all the time, aiul not bothering one scrap about the others.

“The minority element is largely composed of disgruntled unemployed. 1 admit that it is hard to obtain work, but no man is serving any useful purpose if lie turns his back on sane unionism, which must bring about contentment, and 'look's for revolt. They talk plausibly, but with very little llogic. I have spoken to the most intellectual of them, and while they can speak for hours about policies of destruction, they are unable to pm forward any plan of construction. “New Zealand appears to be the one green patch in the seamen’s world as yet untouched by any major tumble, out from what I have heard from private sources the activities of these so-called Cornunists may soon be directed against the Dominion in attempts to bankrupt and break down all sound organisation. If the seamen want to protect their own interests they will adhere to the principles of sane unionism and turn a deaf ear to the flood of insidious propaganda which will he let loose at them. “AVe are out to combat this influence wth all our resources,” Mr Bell continued. “Our aim is to stabilise the Seamen’s Union throughout the world, to cultivate a spirit of healthy co-operation, and to encourage interchanges of membership. It we can present a solid front to these agents of destruction our battle is won.”

Air Bell will remain in Auckland on Union business until next week, and will then leave for Lyttelton to visit members of his family before sailing on his return to London in the first week of January. He is a New Zealander by birth, and this is the first visit lie has made to his own country for 10 years. He is keen tostay here as long as possible.