WHARF UNION'S TROUBLES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2279, 13 October 1914, Page 7

WHARF UNION'S TROUBLES

SUSPENDED SECRETARY HOLDS A MEETING. The differences of opinion which have existed between members of the executive of the AA'ellington AVharf Labourers' Union were further elaborated at a_ meeting held in St. Peter's Hall last night. The meeting was called by the suspended secretary, Mr. E. J. Jones, and there '.were between 40 and 50 members present.

Mr. F. Curtice, of the old AA 7 aterside Workers' Union, said that ho had been asked to preside, but under the circumstances felfc 'that he could not do so. ' He appealed, however, for a fair hearing for Mr. Jones. Tho meeting was quiet at the commencement, but rowdy scenes took place towards tho end, and the speaker was frequently interrupted. Mr. A\\ D. Campbell took the chair.

Mr. Jones stated that he was suspended from the secretaryship, of the union on September 30, but had not been able to get any explanation as to the reason for it from the president. After his suspension he asked the president to call a meeting of members, but got no satisfaction, so he engaged the hall at his own expense to address members. Notice had appeared in tho Press, as to ■ a statement by the president, that he (Mr. Jones) had been suspended by a meeting of tho union, whereas there had been no meeting. A meeting was called for October 29, but in the meantime ho was under a stigma. Mr. Jones.then explained at length the affairs of the union for tho past year, and dealt with tho fact that tlie president had drawn a salary for some time, under a rule of the union. He also spoke on' the financial situation, and the differences of opinion which existed between himself and the president. On the night of his suspension, ho said, 'the president plac T ed someone elso in charge of tho office, and refused to give him a receipt for everything in the office. On tho night ho was suspended one of- tho members of the executive was to have moved a motion from Mr. Jones as. follows:—

"That tho time lias arrived when this executive has ceaned to be of any use to members of the union, and therefore a special meeting bo called, and that the president, vice-president, and secretary resign, and ask the union to elect thoso whom they hayo confidence in." That motion, ho stated, the president refused to accept. Mr. Jones invited questions after he had given his explanation, Mr. Gray' asked whether Mr. Jones had ever paid anything out of the union'that had not been passed by the executivo, and Mr. Jones replied in tho negative. After a brief passago between tho two, the meeting broko up in disorder, but some statements regarding the financial position of tho union wcro mndo in the body cf the hall, and Mr. Jones again mounted the platform, accompanied by Mr. G. Bruco. He said that he Hid not caro whether they olectcd him or not at the meeting on October 29. Mr. Bruce intimated that tho books of tho union would be submitted to a chartered accountant for audit, and if thero was any deficiency, whoever was responsible' would havo to account for the money. Mr, Jones: I am quite prepared 1 to accept tho report_of a duly certificated auditor at any timo.