REALLY “SELFISTS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 836, 3 December 1929, Page 11

REALLY “SELFISTS”

SEAMEN’S LEADER ON COMMUNISTS

AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS “Conditions for seamen in New Zealand are much better than those in Australia. A number of Australians are unemployed, and this is one of the facts which is bringing them to their senses.” IfR. ROBERT F. BELL, overseas superintendent of the British Seamen's Union, made the above statement this morning on his return from Australia, where he has been investigating conditions. “The Seamen’s Union is determined to stabilise conditions throughout the Empire,” he continued, “but the unscrupulous methods of the minority section of the movement is causing some difficulty. “These men call themselves Communists. but they are really *selfists,’ ” he continued. “They have an axe to grind, and they don't mind hurting anyone in doing so. “This minority element is composed largely of disgruntled unemployed wlio do not appear to be making much effort to find work, though 1 admit that work is fairly difficult to obtain. Where sane unionism must bring about contentment, these people are always looking for revolt. “I spoke to some of the most intelligent of them in Australia, and they always called for destruction, but knew nothing about construction. “New Zealand appears to me to be one of the few green patches left in the world, as far as seamen are concerned. but from what I have heard from private sources this minority element may even reach here. Its intention is to bankrupt all sane organisations. They are white-anting and leaving behind them a trail of dust. “The British Seamen’s Union is out to combat this minority element—this evil influence—and its ultimate object is to stabilise the seamen’s unions throughout the whole world. This will be done with the co-operation and interchange of membership of the various organisations of the unions." Mr. Bell will spend a week in Auckland making investigations, and will then go on to Lyttelton to visit his people. He is a New Zealander by birth, but has been abroad for many years. In January he will sail for London.