SEAMEN'S AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2955, 15 December 1916, Page 10

SEAMEN'S AFFAIRS

4 AN AUCKLAND-WELLINGTON DIFFERENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, December 14. A difference of opinion has arisen between the Auckland Seamen's Union, and the. executive of the Wellington Branch of the, Federated Seamen's Union. The matter at issue is the secretaryship and assistant secretaryship of the local branch, for which offices Messrs. Kueeu and Anderson respectively have been nominated. The executive of the • Wellington Branch, which controls-the federation when the representative Executive Council is out of session, claims tho right to exercise its .proxy power and vetoe nominations, on tho ground that owing to illhealth Mr. Kneen is unable to cairy out the duties of secretary, and that no assistant secretary would be needed if the secretary was capable of performing the duties of the office. The Wellington Executive has therefore called for_ fresh nominations. Tho Auckland Union repudiates the veto as heiiig unconstitutional, and.has issued a circular stating that.the criticism from Wellington is presumptous and impertinent. It pays a high tribute to Mr. Kneen's services, and says it .is not the first time attacks on t-ther, union officials have emanated from Wellington. It refuses to be dictated to. In view of tho present deadlock and lecent friction regarding finances, there is a _ possibility of the Auckland Branch, withdrawing from the federation.