SEAMEN'S UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 8 April 1927, Page 11

SEAMEN'S UNION.

THE RIVAL BODIES.

ALLEGED INTIMIDATION.

Bj Toloxrnph—Pros -Association,'

WELLINGTON, April 7. A case in which James. Brennan

claimed £SO damages from Walsh (Wellington), Newfield, (Lyttelton), and the Wellington Federated Seamen's Industrial' Onion, alleging that he had been

wrongfully prevented from securing employment by defendants’ threats against prospective emploj'ers, was continued before Mr Salmon, S.M., to-day. Mr Hoggard gave the -history of the existing rival Seamen’s Unions, and said Walsh had been an unsuccessful candidate for the

presidency of the old Wellington Union. His following was among the extreme section, . and his views were not the' views of the majority of the Union. He had expressed views that were in favour of violence, whereas the great bulk of the seamen favoured constitutional

methods. The delay of the registration of plaintiff's union gave Walsh his opportunity. He gathered 21 friends and applied for registration on January 25, two days before tho others. A certificate w,as issued and Walsh’s application wap granted on the same day in record, time. He had since maintained fliat his union was a true, union and had done its best, to stop members of plaintiff’s union from securing employment.. James Grayling, an A.B. oit the Arahura, giving evidence for plaintiff, said that at a stop-work meeting convened on Ist March by Newfield, Walsh occupied the chair. One of tho members asked what had been done in regard to members of tho other union.

Atr Hay: “I submit the repy can havo no reference to the case. This action was not commenced until a week after the meeting.” His Worship held that evidence could be given to show what Newfield and Walsh said at then meeting. Witness: “Nowfield, was against any drastic measures being taken in regard to the other union, and was in favour of working quietly, while Walsh advocated examining all the union books.” A motion was put to the meeting that tho men on the ships who were not in Walsh’s Union should be removed. This was carried on a show of hands. The chairman suggested that the resolution should not be placed on the minutes. Another motion that a week should elapse before the resolution was given effect to was defeated.

To Mr Hay: Witness wat a membeil of plaintiff's union, and Newfield had been down to Ills ship to ask him to change over. A voice: “You’re a d d liar.”

His Worship: “f want it understood quite frankly, that anyone who uses expressions of that kind will be removed from the Court, and I well have him committed for contempt; of Court.”

Mr Hay: “Who was it who saw you about giving evidence? —“I was subpoenaed.” ' “But who saw you in the first place?”—“Mr Young.” Plaintiff detailed a conversation he had with the chief officer of the Ivaimai in regard to his being signed on the vessel. While he was in Government shipping office on the morning of 9th March, Newfield asked him if he was going to change over, and he refused. Newfield then; said that if plaintiff was signed on the ship would be held up. Newfield! went up to the Union Company, and after a. few minutes’ a telephone message came tor tho mate, as result of which tho latter told plaintiff to came back to the office at 2 p.m. the same day. At the appointed time, plaintiff returned to the office, where Newfield, Young and the mate were waiting. Young examined plaintiff’s book, remarking that it was clear to the end of the month, and the mate replied that he was agreeable to signing Brennan, hut the Company ieared the ship would he held up. “I was not signed on, and I have been out of work ever since,” said plaintiff. I am 62 rears of age, and 1. have a home to keep in the Old Country. He added that Ids wages on tho Ivaitmu would have been Flo 4s a mouth. ihe man who had signed on in lus place, was still on the vessel. Mr Hay “You know' von could have got the ‘job that day if you had efianeed over?” —“Yes. “Do you know the position seamen in New Zealand to-day? ' —“l aware now that there are two organisations.” n , , ‘‘You know what N.ewfie.u mcanl when he asked you to transfer?

| * ‘ Yos yi ! “\y] i;i t objection had you to join - I m" the movement to which tlm .meat j bulk of seamen belonged-- Lew)use ! i paid my dues to the end ol the month.” , ,i j i “Are you prepared to swear that I Nowfteld the slop wouid be held “ l> ‘‘[ biggest List he said the ship might h'e held up.’—“l don t tlak lift «n.iti tluit. * n , , ii Pladitiff said that' lm found he could no! get a iob. He went to Hr \oung and 'iho latter suggested the l’i ese.it H< To"' Mr Hoggard : lie regarded Young’s union as the old union, and Wash’s as the new linJn > \\ ( > n Ivul been put ashore horn tho "“net nnd thJ Xg«io because they would not join ’Walsh * union Tie examined by Hr Hay. Brenr.an admitted that no existing membeis of ei+lier allip had been pub oil. At this stage, the ease was adjourned tili to-morrow morningp^^^