THE SHIPPING PLOT EXPOSED.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1925, Page 3

THE SHIPPING PLOT EXPOSED.

THE REDS’ TRICKS

MONTREAL, Sept. 2. Mr Havelock Wilson, the secretary of the National Sailors' and Firemen’s Union, who has arrived here, gave me the following exclusive message to the seamen of the Empire and the British public. .More than six years ago the Reds decided on a campaign to capture men employed in the shipping trade, not only of Britain, but also of other maritime nations, but this “death blow” was principally 'aimed at British ships. The reason for this policy on the part of the Reds is the belief that if they could capture the men who compose the crews of Brit-di ships they could make the effect of their policy felt throughout the world. Realising this, 1 started my light with the Reds In 1019. They have been very bitter towards me. but 1 have blocked them nt every turn of the game.

I wnnt the put.lie to real iso that out of 250.000 men employed in the British Mercantile Marine it would lie difficult to find .500 Communists. But. the Beds are ever on the watch for an opportunity to create dissension. Since 1020 we have heen faced with had trade, and we have had to make considerable adjustments in regard to wages from time to time. T.ast year, believing that trade was going to improve, T obtained for the men £1 a month increase of wages. t nfortunately the improvement in trade was not continued, and freight rates dropped to such a low level that it was impossible to operate ships. The result was that TOO of them were compelled to tie up. It was clear to us then that our duty was to advise the men to agree to forego the £1 we obtained last year. This move on our part enabled scores of owners to run their ships, whereas if I no agreement had been made, the owners would have been compelled to lay up more than half of onr tonnage. So on .Tilly 6th. an agreement was made and loyally accepted by our men. Since the settlement more than 80,000 men have signed on without a murmur. This move on our part disconcerted the "Reds very much ; in fact, they did not know of it until the deed was done. They were furious. There was no crisis and no room for propaganda. But Tom. Walsh, of Australia, came

to their rescue. For the past ten months \\ alsh has been doing Ins utmost to break up the Australian Seamen’s Union, and I think it is sale to say he lias done it fairly successfully. Walsh is one of the reddest of the Reds, and it is quite evident that for a long time he has been working with the brothers Larkin Peter and .lames. An idea struck Walsh to convene meetings of seamen employed in British ships that happened to he in Australian ports and tell them that a great si l ike had broken nut in England. But all that happened was thaL the Larkins and the rest of the gang started outdoor metings ol non-union men land fellows without jobs, and they have carried this on now for weeks, principally in Liverpool. Loudon and Glasgow .

With regard to the men who slopped work in Australia, a tremendous reaction may he expected at any moment. Walsh ami his crowd have no money. The total balance to the credit of Walsh’s union In November last was l'l-VI. Whether they have means for obtaining money from Russia or elswlmre 1 am unable to say. But as an old campaigner I would say this: I wouldn't like to lace the responsibility of having .‘t.Utlll or l.Dfifi men on mv hands without means lor providing them with hoard and lodgings, and I know that alone would not satisfy the ordinary seafaring men. lie wants tobacco and beer, and if these conditions are not forthcoming, then I would say:

Heaven help Walsh and his crowd!” They will want to get away to their spirit tia I home - R iissia. It now appears that a Mr Emmanuel Shinwell has appeared on the scene in England in the guise of an organiser ol the union known as the .Marine Workers'. Shinwell is not a sailor; he is a tailors’ presser and knows nothing of seamen. Shinwell anticipates that he may he able to recruit some non-union seamen to bis side. lie is welcome to licin.

This is a world-wide plot of the Reds lo gei hold of the shipping men. I have been .50 years at the business, uni hiue won more lights than any living trades-union man in the world, flic Larkins and Shimvells can never irgaiiisc seamen. James Larkin is lotorious for the mismanagement of my all’air lie touches. He ruined the risk Transport Workers' Union and ic would ruin the seamen.

I have no tear for the British Seamen's Union. Ninety per cent ol the men of ships’ catering deportments, deck and engine rooms are members of our organisation. Our capital for the union and insurance is more than £.500,(1(1(1. .Many men have been members for HU years. They are not going to leave their old union and their share of £500,000.

The men supposed to he on strike re those who had no jobs, and their ilea is that if they could get union nen to come out they would hop in lid take their jobs for any wages iffored.