Wellington Seamen's Union

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 72, 26 July 1912, Page 6

Wellington Seamen's Union

A SERIOUS CHARCE BY A \ MEMBER.

Was he.." Ddalt With" Because Sympathetic to the Federation of Labar, arid a Socialist?

Deal" Sir,—-In accordance with our conversat'k.-n, 1 a.m forwarding a detailed statement ol my case against the .secretary of the Wellington .Seamen's Union. I: joined this union on Jannarj l y 1911, not having been to sea on this coast previous to this. 1 continued a financial member until December 28, when I obtained a clearance and transferred to the Wellington w.w.u.

As winter came on, I found I was not earning sufficient,' so I made up my mind to go to soa. With this object in view, 1 got my clearance from the W.VV.U. and again transferred to the Seamen's linioni This was on Monday, May 21 The assistant secretary was present and the following entry was made:—"Clear to May 31, 1912. By payment to Wharf Union. —W. K. Smythymail, 24-6-12."

The same evening tho weekly meeting of the union was held. I attended. On the secretary entering tho room, he asked mc if 1 was a member, and demanded my book. He examined it, and with a sarcastic remark about having transferred that day, I was allowed to remain. Later on the secretary again made allusion to this. It was his opinion that men had transferred for tho sole purpose of being at the meeting. The average attendance, as far as I can gather, seems to be well tinder a dozen. What the quorum is I don't know. But if the union was being run on right lincß, every new face at the meeting should cause great satisfaction to the secretary instead of calling tor sarcasm.Not only was I allowed to remain, but motions, from myself were accepted. For instance, when the letter from Fagan, of tho Reefton miners, was read, 1 moved that £50 be forwarded. I took an active part in the discussion, and at t'he close of the meeting, when questions were in order, I had several questions for the secretary, particularly in respect to the Waihi miners, and also re the union joining tho United Labor Party. I demanded that a ballot be taken, which motion was not put j as the chairman declared the meeting closed.

I did not get a job that week, so was at liberty to attend at the following Monday's meeting. There were eight men present, inclusive. The minutes were road, during which I 'was busy making notes of what I intended srwnking about. A member protested, and 1 rose to explain, but was not allowed by tho president to speak. After the minutes wero endorsed, the secretary moved a suspension of the standing orders, which was carried unanimously (I believe if the secretary asked for a month's leave of absence to visit til.o moon, it would be carried unanimously). The secretary then moved: "That deal with the case of a. man present who claims to be a member, and decide whether his claim holds good." That was myself. I was requested to retire while my case was being discussed, which I did. Of what then transpired I have, of course, no knowledge, but- about 10 minutes later the doorkeeper called mc and informed mc that the meeting had decided unanimously that I was no longer a member. I asked to be allowed to hear on what grounds and also to defend myself against any charges laid against mo, but was informed that being no longer a member 1 could not reenter the room.

Next morning I called in at the office and courteously asked the secretary for a copy of the rules of tho union. "Can't supply them to you," was the reply. "But," 1 said, "won't you inform mc, Mr. Young, on what grounds I was expelled from tho Union?" "Haven't got time," was the response.

I got a job in the Tlaupiri next day, and calling at the office 1 informed the assistant secretary. To have been consistent with the ruling of the mooting, I should have been debarred from signing on, as the union obtained a preference clause in the last agreement. But 1 signed on in tho shipping office, producing my union book, without any interference.

Wo -arrived back, in Wellington on the following Monday. I wont to tho meeting. On taking a seat, the secretary exclaimed, "Clear out." I replied: "I am a iinancial member of this union ; hero's my book—let- the members present examine it." Tho secretary's reply was again, "Clear out."

"Not till I get a reason why," I said. The secretary then left his chair, and attempted to pull mc out. .Failing alone, lie got. the assistance of another man, and I was forcibly ejected, protesting all tho time. Even then the secretary wasn't satisfied, Cor it took two iiion to restrain him from personally assaulting mo. As far as 1 can recollect, there were loss than n dozen men present. I think 1 adopted tho

wisest course under the circumstances. I might have shown fight, but I was one against at least half a dozen, as I haven't tho slightest doubt that they would have rendered every assistance to the secretary.

Next day the delegate to the union on the Haupiri wont to tho office to pay tho crew's subscriptions, and was questioned by tho assistant secretary as to whether I was on board. The ship sailed that day, no action on the part of the officials of the union on my behalf having been taken, as far as I know. With best wishes for success at Waihi and Reefton, —I remain, yours for the Revolution, J. WATSON. S.S. Haupiri, care U.S.S. Co., 13-7-12. [This seems to bo a case of deliberate and high-handed victimisation. The matter should bo probed to tho bottom. If Mr. Young has anything to say—and ho must have, or take the consequences—our columns are open to him. —Ed.]