SEAMEN’S UNION DISPUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1927, Page 15

SEAMEN’S UNION DISPUTE

CLAIM FOR £5O DAMAGES ALLEGATION OF INTIMIDATION. THE RECENT TROUBLES REVIEWED By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A. W. Wheeler, assistant-general manager of the Union Company, gave evidence to-day in the case in which James Brennan, seaman, is claiming £5O damages from T. P. Walsh, seaman (Wellington), Felix Newfield, seaman (Lyttelton), and the Wellington Federated Seamen’s and Industrial Workers’ Unio on grounds that he had been wrongfully prevented from obtaining employment by threats against his propective employers. He said that on March 8 Young told him that Brennan had been engaged on the Kaimai, and that he had reason to believe that some objection might be taken. Next morning Newfield called and said that he believed that the crew would refuse to sail if Brennan were engaged and he thought it would be better that the company should be told about the matter rather than have the ship held up. Newfield said that Brennan was not a member of the union and was not entitled to preference.

Witness told Newfield that the company looked on the matter as a domestic dispute in which he was not concerned, and he hoped in the general interest that the men of the Kaimai would reconsider their attitude. After further discussion witness advised Mr. Smith, of the industrial department of the company, to make another engagement.

The interview with Newfield was quite harmonious; nothing in the nature of a threat was made. The company had had extensive dealing with Walsh’s union. An agreement made last year was usually worked on. During the past two months he had worked more with Walsh than Young, and his company recognised both unions; in faet, he treated them as one. He had heard from Young that an attempt would be made to intimidate Young’s followers. “THE FAMOUS DAY.” William Thomas Young, union secretary, said that for many years past he had acted as secretary to seamen’s organisations. Up to last year there were only three unions known as “the locals” at Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, register I under the LG. and A. Act. There was also an organisation known as the Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand, an industrial union of workers. Witness was secretary to both the Wellington “locals” and the association. A postal ballot among the members early in 1926 approved the de-registra-tion of the three “locals” and the association under the I.C. and A. Act by an overwhelming majority, the object of the step being the formation of “one big union.” In May the cancellation was granted and by July 22 an agreement as to wages and conditions had been approved by the three “locals” and signed in the name of the Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand. Dissension later arose among the officials of the movement and there had been trouble between the officials ever since.

Mr. Hoggard: What-happened on January 25? Witness: That was the famous day. A large number of men, headed by Walsh’s vigilance officer, demanded that I hand over the keys and the offices to Walsh. I declined to do either. Then a man who acts as Walsh’s vigilance officer puts his hand in my pocket and — Mr. Hoggard: You need not go into details. Witness: Well, we were put out. I’ve still got the keys, though. During further cross-examination by Mr. Hay, witness said that in his opinion the Wellington “local” functioned on moral grounds after it was de-regis-tered. He contended that the rule “local” had been carried on, with amendments, into the organisation formed under the Trade Unions Act. After further evidence had been given by witness, Mr. Hoggard said he had no more evidence to call. Mr. Hay said that he would call at least five witnesses when the case again came on for hearing. An adjournment to April 28 was granted. RIFLE SHOOTING. NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. The following teams will represent the New Plymouth Rifle Club to-day against Patea for the challenge shield, the team leaving by the mail train: —Higgs, Taylor, Hogg, Turnbull, Marett, George, M-c-Gahey, Ranson and Clarke. On the New Plymouth range against Okato Rifle Club, a team will be selected from the following:—Arnold, Pearson, S. Hartnell, Innes, Robinson, Maddock, Gorringe, McArtney, Watt, Ashley and McKenzie. A practice target will be available for those not engaged in the match. TARANAKI RIFLE MEETING. Entries are beginning to come in for the Taranaki Rifle Association’s forthcoming meeting at Easter, the first to come to hand being several from Auckland. Taranaki riflemen who intend to compete are reminded to enter early.