THE RUMBLE OF THE STORM

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1929, 11 December 1913, Page 8

THE RUMBLE OF THE STORM

IN STRIKE CIRCLES!

LOCAL SEAMEN'S MEETING,

FAR FROM PLEASANT,

, A meeting of tho Wellington Branch of. the Federated Seamen's Onion was held yesterday morning. It is understood that a section of them voiced their opinions regarding the lead given by the executive in strong teivns. One man told a reporter after the meeting that there was a pronounced feeling that the local committoo_ had not "played the game" in regard to the seamen and iiremen who came ashore from tho New Zealand Shipping Company's Op'awa and the Union Company's Moana 'and Maunganui. At the time that tho Mauiiganui's men came out it was freely admitted by certain officials that they had their hands full with tho troubles of their own members, without having to deal with "outsiders." liy "outsiders" the Mauiiganui's men woro meant.

From other inquiries made it appears that there is great unrest among tho majority of seamen in Wellington. They are, in fact, desirous to return to work. Although a number of them wish to stand by their organisation, t'.iisy maintain tiiat the Seamen's Union should make the way clear to return to work. Another cause of complaint is tho manner in which the men who left tho Opawn., Moana, and Maunganui havo been treated in regard to striko meal, tickets. This, it is understood, was tho cause of much trouble yesterday morning. At times tho meeting was very disorderly. On one occasion, when tho secretary endeavoured to explain tho policy and action of the executive, ho was howled down, and a certain section threatened to turn him out of tho room. It is understood that the action of the Dunedin Union in passing tho resolution asking tho Federation of Labour what object was to bo served by prolonging the strike, and why it was not being called off, was heatedly discussed. Many held the opinion that the -strike should bo called off "right now." This, of course, upset tho other ■section, and the argument waxed warm. After all was over, tho usual official hush was maintained. Asked by a reporter as to what the nature of the proceedings had been, Mr. W. Smithyman, assistant-secretary of the. local union, 'stated that nothing definite had been decided upon.