SEAMEN’S UNION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 26 January 1927, Page 5

SEAMEN’S UNION.

UPHEAVAL IN WELLINGTON.

SECRETARY EJECTED FROM OFFICE.

Following a special meeting of members' of the Seamen’s Union at Wellington yesterday morning, a number of seamen proceeded to the office of the iinion in Featherston Street at midday and took charge " of the office, ejecting the .secretary, Mr W. T. Young, and his assistant/ Mr Frank C. Howell.

It appears that a resolution was carried'at yesterday morning’s meeting of seamen that a “commission” be appointed to investigate the business matters of the union. The subsequent occupation of the union office was merely a sequel to that decision. For somo time past the union has been divided into two factions, and yesterday’s meeting gave a new ascendancy to one side. There was sonic talk, later in the afternoon, yesterday, of forming a new union of seamen. A reporter visited the Seamen’s Union office late yesterday afternoon, and found a number of seamen in possession. In reply to inquiries for the secretary or his assistant, it was stated that they were “away.” The seamen expressed regret that they could not make any statement for the Press. About half-a-dozen men with their coats off appeared ready to go into the business of the union, but were awaiting the arrival of others, probably for the holding of a further meeting there. Not long since, the Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin branches of the Seamen's Union cancelled t'hcir registrations under the Conciliation and Industrial Arbitration Act. Subsequently, however, both the Auckland and Dunedin branches re-registered, but Wellington remained apart.