THE SYMPATHETIC ATTITUDE

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 19962, 16 December 1913, Page 5

THE SYMPATHETIC ATTITUDE

ONE METHOD OF UPSETTING A SECEET BALLOT.

DUNEDIN, Dec, 15. From what can be learned, nn anomalous state of affairs, so far as the Wellington, seamen .are concerned, was unfolded to a meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Seamen's Union this evening. _ About 175 members were present and1 it was reported from Wellington that the secret ballot taken there ns to whether the. Wellington seamen and firemen should return to work resumed .in favour of turning to again; this. vote, however, did not. it seems, clinch matters, ;as it is said that a, resolution was brought forward (asking the men not to desert their fellow workers on the waterfront. In Wellington the branch of the Seamen's Union, and n number of waterside workers also hold membership, and these waterfront seamen in an endeavour to assist their fellow waterside workers who were hoi seamen, are faced with a resolution asking them whether they wore going to desert. Their comrades voted in favour of the resolution and -the ballot was thereupon upset. The Dunedin seamen received an of- [< r from the- shipping companies stating that they were prepared to reinstate the men in their former positions, and in cases whore travelling' expenses would be incurVed to reach , vessels, these would be defrayed, and that they would not ask the men to come in under the Arbitration Act, but that the nntienoe of the owners ivps bcinir taxed to tho utmost. In the Fnc.? of' information received from Wellington. however, tho Dnn-edin men decided not to <ro back to the shins until such time as tho Wellington nnd Auckland mon wrn> in agreement with theni in returning to w©rk. A vote of full ccMrndp-co in the Dune-din delegates to the conference in their ability to bring about a fiottlernent was passed. The opinion appears to pi-ova-il amongst the" seamen that tho trouble will be finished by Thursday and a settlement arrived ot.