SPLIT IN THE RANKS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2014, 23 March 1914, Page 6

SPLIT IN THE RANKS.

TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION. PROTEST ACAINST "RED FEDS." For many decades the Wellington Typographical Union has held a high place in public esteem as the exemplar of sane, practical, and unemotional, trades unionism. Owing largely, it is said, to the immigration policy of the .Dominion in late years, tne union has now developed a noisy, though not numerous, Red Federation section amongst its members, comprising some new arrivals. Although there is no obligation except the sentimental call of trade association oh members of the permanent staff of the compositors of tlie Government Printing Olhce in remaining members of the union, without exception those on the staff have continued their membership either as active or honorary members.

It is freely reported that during the 'recent strike, when meetings of the union were frequently held, mostly at the instigation of the Red Federation section, to consider its attitude towards the strike and strikers, proceedings were occasionally of a tumultuous character. Insults were hurled, at speakers opposed to them by Federationists, and this was followed By inaccurate reports of the meetings appearing in a local Labour paper, and uncomplimentary references to the principal speakers opposed to the policy of the Federation of Labour. The union, amongst its other actions, passed .a resolution condemning the Government for enrolling special constables, though, it is said, a rule appears on its books providing against the discussion of political questions at its meetings. The sequel is that a number of members of the permanent staff of compositors of tho Government Printing Office have tendered their resignations as members of the union. It is pointed oiit that to engage in a strike, which the union was invited to do, would not only mean the loss of their positions, but would also involve tho forfeiture of all contributions to the superannuation fund.' As tho regulations controlling the Service preclude members of the staff staking part in anything of a political nature beyond recording their votes, and as the safeguards in tho rules of the union were broken through, at tho instance of the Federationists, a choice became necessary and it has been made.

Efforts at reconciliation by the executive* officers of the union are being tried, but it is stated that nothing short of ■ divorcing the Government Printing .Office section of the union's members from the possibility of being brought into contact with "Red Fedism" in any form is acceptable to tho seceders. It is understood tho resignations are tendered purely, on the volition of those concerned and ; without pressure from any source. Among those resigning are members of thirty years''standing.