FORCIBLY EJECTED

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10318, 29 January 1927, Page 7

FORCIBLY EJECTED

SEAMEN’S SECRETARY TELLS HOW HE LEFT OFFICE.

STORY OF UNION SPLIT. MONEY STILL IN THE BANK. WELLINGTON, Jan. 28. In connection with the dispute among members of the Seamen’s Union, -Mr Young made a statement to-day which he said he wished to go forward to the workers of the Dominion. “The statement regarding my alleged deposition,’’ he said, “comes from a body that lias existed only since Tuesday evening last a body of which I was not at any time a member, let alone an officer. I am general secretary of the Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand, a body established in J SSI, and first registered under the Trade Union's Act of 1885. Our general president is Mr Fittes, and the treasurer Mr Currie, the two vice - presidents are Messrs Browne and Payne, and the assistant secretary is Mr I rank Howell. “The Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand alone possesses the right to depose any of its officers through constitutional channels. That fairly well answers the allegations under the head of the bogus union, but I may mention that our organisation is a national body possessing national rules and. giving its members themselves ail absolute right to control the organisation in place of members being dictated to by a small coterie, whether the latter he designated an executive council or otherwise.

“In regard to the funds which it is alleged were illegally transferred, I have to state that the money referred to, and also a little that has been" added to it, stands to the credit at the bank of the men who own it,, and that is not F. P- Walsh and Co. We are trustees of money to honestly used for the purpose of the men who own it.” “In regard to what took place at the office, Mr Young said a number of men, between 60 and 70, came to the office, headed by "Walsh and seven ether prominent men. They read the resolution of the alleged meeting and demanded that he hand over the keys and property in the office. Mr 'Young refused, being legal custodian of everything in the office. The result was that he was forcibly ejected by a man who was not a member of the "Wellington union. The general president and Air Payne were also ejected by force. “In conclusion,” said Air Young. “I wish to say to the working men and women of the Dominion who have known me in the political and industrial labor movement tor tin past 28 years that nothing of a bogus nature exists, and that the funds are perfectly safe in the bands of the men who are trustees for those owning tlie money.”—PA.