THE DUNEDIN SEAMEN MEET.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1923, 4 December 1913, Page 9

THE DUNEDIN SEAMEN MEET.

FEDERATION CONDEMNED.

MR BELCHER TO TAKE MORE ACTIVE HAND. U.S.S. CO. TO BE APPROACHED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunsdin, December 3. A meeting of tho Dunediii Seamen's Union wa? held this afternoon to consider the position of the branch in regard to tlio present ti cubic. About 170 members wero present, and tho president of tho executive (Mr. Murdoch M'Kcnzie) presided. Messrs. Mackie and Jack, representing tho Auckland Branch of the union, and J. Baker, A. J, Shepherd (Wellington delegates) addressed tho meeting, giving a detailed account of tho operations in their centres. This met with the general approval of tho mooting. Proposals to tako a secret ballot on the question whether they should resume- work wa3 overwhelmingly defeated by tho meeting, only 17 voting in favour of tho proposal on a- show of hands. Discussion then ensued on the methods of the Federation of Labour,.which were generally condemned. Tho action of'tho Auckland Branch,'whoso, member's still adhere to its telegram to tho DuncdinJ Branch, advising it to ignore Mr. Belcher, was also condemned.

Mr. Belcher addressed tho meeting, ami traced tho genesis of the Seamen's Union, - which, ho said, had nursed tho Auckland and Wellington seamen to their present condition. His reward for that had been abuse.

An ultimatum was read from tho Union Steam Ship Company stating that, if work was not resinned by Saturday, it would take stops to havo tho vessels manned by free labour. In this connection Mr. Belcher stated that he now intended to take a further hand in the fight. He had used all possiblo moans at the conference in Wellington to effect a settlement, but the majority against him had been too strong.

It was decided that members signing on during tho present crisis would be dealt with by tho union when the strike was over. ■■'■■■-

I The meotiiigjl which lasted abottt' two t and a half hours, closed with a vote of thanks to the visiting delegates, and a unanimous vote of confidence in Mr. Belcher. To-morrow another mooting -will bo held by the local executive and four visiting delegates. It is stated on good authority that the meeting will decide to approach tho Union Company with a view to securing tho services of His Honour Sir Joshua Williams as arbitrator on ' tho position which has arisen between tho seamen and the company. "NO GRIEVANCE.' BUT FELT BOUND TO COME OUT. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Napier, December 3. At a mooting of local members of tho Federated Seamen's Union held tonight, when tho men were addressed by a member of the Strike Committee, it was decided almost unanimously not to work either on tho vessels or wharves after Friday. The Richardson Company's seamen, who have been working on tho wharves up till now, passed a vote of sympathy with Messrs. Richardson and Co., stating that they had 110 grievanco, hut felt bound to recoguiso the call to ceaso work.