STUDY IN TACTICS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1933, 16 December 1913, Page 6

STUDY IN TACTICS.

THE SEAMEN'S VOTE TO GO BACK. s HOW IT WAS UPSET. (By TolesxaDli.—Press Association.) ' . Dunsdin, December 15. • From what can bo learned, the anomalous stato of affairs, so far as 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, and it was reported from Wellington that a secret ballot had been taken there as to whether tlio Wellington seamen and firemen should return to work. This had resulted in a majority being in favour of turning to again. This vote, however, did not clinch the matter, £s it is said that a resolution was afterwards'brought forward, asking the men not to desert their fellow-workers on tho waterfront in Wellington. In this branch of the Seamen's Union a number of waterside workers also hold membership, and these waterfront seamen, in their 011- . deavour to assist their fellow-watersido workers who were not seamen,' wero , faced with a resolution asking , them whether .tlicy wero going to "desert" their comrades. They voted in favour of the resolution not to break away, and the ballot was thereupon upset. The Dunedin seamen received an offer from tho shipping companies, stating that they wero prepnrcd to reinstate the men in their former positions, and, in cases where travelling expenses would be incurred to reach their vessols, theso would be defrayed, and that they would'not ask tho men to come in under tin Arbitmtion Act, but that the pationce of tho owners was being taxed to tho utmost. In face of the informa•.tion •,received from, Wellington, however, tho Dunedin men deckled not to Ho back to their ships till such time as the Wellington and Auckland men were in agreement with thorn in returning to work. A vote of full confidence in the Dunedin delegates to the conference, and in thoir ability to bring about a settlement was passed.;,-.,;- • • Tho opinion appears to prevail .amongst the seamen that the trouble will be finished by Thursday, and a settlement arrived at.