Railwaymen Hold Rowdy Meeting

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 727, 29 July 1929, Page 11

Railwaymen Hold Rowdy Meeting

SPLIT IN A.S.R.S. POLICEMAN CALLED A split among members of the Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants became such a rowdy affair on Saturday evening that a railway foreman and a policeman were called in to intervene. Railway officials regard the squabble as a petty argument. It all arose from a stand taken by the secretary, Mr. S. H. Keen. A proposal came forward to suspend Mr. Keen a month ago. It was claimed for the secretary today that a section of the members are antogonistic to him over his attitude in connection with railway picnic business. In the conduct of these picnics, Mr. Keen is said to have opposed the awarding of a sum to the collector of a donation for the picnic funds, and the employment of the name of the society in such collections. To The Sun today, Mi; W. Thomsom, the assistant-stationmaster, said that the actual disagreement at the meeting had been exaggerated. He regarded the quarrel as the result of personal animosity, and stated that it was outside any move in the policy of the society. The management at the station had disregarded the whole trouble. When some of the members sought to suspend Mr. Keen a month ago, it was alleged that he did not carry out an instruction from the branch relating to the appointment of a collector for the society’s magazine. Mr. Keen’s refusal was on the ground that he had not the necessary authority. MEETINGS CALLED OFF The general secretary, Mr. L. Mcliride, declared that the proposal was out of order. Several members left the meeting, but the proposed suspension of Mr. Keen was confirmed. At i another meeting there was disagreeraent over a ruling by the president, Mr. J. Mouton, and the meeting was closed. When about GO members attended at the latest meeting, Mr. J. Cameron, the assistant-secretary, who had been appointed secretary temporarily, was instructed by Mr. Mouton to read the minutes. Objection was raised. Mr. Mouton proposed the appointment of Mr. Cameron as secretary and the appointment of an assistant-secretary. A nomination for the second position was defeated and Mr. Cameron proceeded to read the minutes. Mr. Mouton refused to accept a motion that the minutes be not confirmed.

When he asked Mr. Keen to vacate his position at the table, there was uproar. The intervention of the policeman and the foreman was not needed as the chairman and others left the meeting.

Remaining members appointed a chairman and carried on a meeting by themselves. A committee is to meet representatives of the other side to reach a settlement.

Mr. Keen stated today that proof that his services were appreciated was shown in that he had been elected secretary five times. He said that he bad been asked to remain in the position. The trouble, he maintained, had been going on for years.