SEAMEN'S UNION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8740, 23 May 1914, Page 11

SEAMEN'S UNION

QUESTION OF CONTROL,

In connection with the control ol the Seamen and Firemen’s Union, a circular has been sent out by Messrs Si Lane and _ E. Hillman, embodying suggestions that they con< eider will make for better working of this body. The propositions are as follow: —(1) That the elections. of officers for the different of the New Zealand Federated Seamen and Firemen’s Union be postponed till Juno Ist; (2) that the headquarters of this union be in iWellington, with subordinate branches at ports where required; (3) that immediate steps be taken to insure that all branches pay ■ same contributions; (4) that) when elected, officers immediately meet and inform employers of all points in agreement that require amending; (5) that all ships bo constantly supplied with information and knowledge that helps the cause of unionism and Labour; (6) that all important financial matters be referred to members; (7) that books- be audited twice yearly by elected committee; (8) that better sanitary conditions come into force as soon as possible; (9) that ,any or all officers can bo deprived of office by majority vote at any time; (10) that candidates state position held previously with union. _ . The secretary of the Auckland Umori has replied to the points raised as follows : —(1) The election of officers as; for in our rules has givci’i general satisfaction and therefore needs no complicating amendment; (2); the Wellington branch has been the' .head office for the past six months; all contribution books issued at present are issued from Wellington and pig tied “general secretary” by the secretary of. that branch; (3) all members should pay the same contributions, as we are governed by practically the same rules; (4) day by day, year in: ;and year out, the officers of the various local branches are in touch with the ship-owners, and endeavour to rectify grievances, and this course has been pursued for many years; (-5) members of the union are certainly not kept in the dark so far as Auckland is concerned, and I understand no cause for complaint exists at Wellington or Dunedin; (6-7) the members of the Auckland branch control their finances directly, and I understand that Dunedin and Wellington do the same. Our books and vouchers arei audited half-yearly, and all books are. open to inspection by members at any time; (8) the improvements in the accommodation of several new ships prove that the representations of the Seamen’s ‘Union in this respect have been successful; (9-10) our franchise could not be more liberal; all members have a vote of equal value—-al! candidates for positions are duly nominated, are well known, are elected foil short periods, and have no inalienable; right to office; and the system works' well.