FEUD BETWEEN UNIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18197, 16 September 1922, Page 9

FEUD BETWEEN UNIONS.

SCENE AT A CONGRESS.

LONDON. Sept. 8. "Blackmail," " low-down tricks," and "liar" were among the epithets bandied about during a scene at the Trade Union Congress, now meeting at Southport. A feud exists between seafarers' unions, The president announced that Mr. J. Havelock Wilson's Sailors and Firemen's Onion wished to meet the Marine Workers' Union in a conference with the general council. Mr. Cotter, secretary of the Marine Workers' Union, said that the invitation was a trap and a fako. The congress itself must judge between the anions. He launched a heated attack cm Mr. Wilson, and a voice in this gallery cried, " You're a liar." The interrupter was expelled. Mr. Cotter announced that Mr. Wilson's union had served him,with an injunction to prevent his appearance at the congress, and summoning him to tho.High Court that morning. , ' " But I'm not there," ho said. " I'm here." He accused Mr. Wilson of making arrangements detrimental to the maritime workers.

The Sailors' Union delegates in Mr. Wilson's absence, replied taunting Mr. •('otter with attempting to play a btg part for which he was unfitted. Another delegate described Mr. Wilson as the villain of the oieco, who left the other delegates to do the dirty work.. The chairman appealed to both' unions to strive for unity, and the wrangla ended

" There has been a horrible feud between the "Seamen's and the Marine Workers' Union," said Mr. Cotter's counsel, opposing an application to prevent Mr. Cotter representing the marine workers. Counsel alleged tfcnt it was merely an attempt to tie Mr. Cotter's hands.

The Judce refused to continue the injunction, saying: " There is more in this than appears at first sight."