UNION FARCE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1930, Page 2

UNION FARCE

SEAMEN IN AUSTRALIA

LIKE COMIC OB ERA

SYDNEY, April 3

Australians arc still being diverted

more or less bv the comic opera polities of the Australian Seamen’s Onion, tne members of which, when in port, are often at sea in deciding who are their responsible officers. In the old days the chief protagonists were Messrs Walsh and Johnson. Then Johnson was knowii'fwas Johansen, but lie lias since changed his name. For a while the antics of this pair intrigued a condiment. Then, by a strange turn of fate, they both found themselves incarcarated on Garden Island, in SydHarbour, it being the intention of the Bruce Government, than in power, to deport them. However, the courts would not aliow it.

Si lice then Walsh has developed moderate views and has preached a gospel of industrial peace. Still, his advocacy of peace has had no ■ effect upon the seamen. As the time has been far from opportune to fight the shipowners, the seamen have i’ouglu among themselves, and it is hard to say into how many factions they have been divided. There are three factions a least—and one of them still has a sneaking regard for Walsh. AVhen Walsh was deposed from the position of general secretary, Johnson reigned supreme' as a sort of dictator.

Johnson lasted for quite a while. Then came a revision of the rules to provide [for “rank and file” control. These provided that the policy of the union could be governed by an annual meeting, by a special meeting, or by a special general meeting. Thus one meeting; could immediately unset what another meeting had do ided. It was possible to reverse a decision within 2-1 hours. And so it was that in Jtine last Johnson was deposed and Air H. Brennan was elected general secretary in his stead. Within a week a special meeting had discharged Air Brennan, and had reinstated Johnson. Another week later a spe ial meeting had discharged Johnson and reappointed Brennan. Not long ago Brennan was called ’away from the headquarters in -Sydney, so the Johnson faction held a

meeting and elected Johnson as secretary, and “recalled” Brennan.

I Brennan’s supporters have refused to recognise the deposition. When Johnson took possession of the office he found that all the important books were missing. Another special meeting was called, and recognition of .olmson was refused. Johnson threatened legal proceedings, blit the next day another special inectjjjg was called and Brennan was elected Secretary and Johnson was recalled. Last Thursday still another meeting was held t< discuss developments, and Brennan wa deposed once again, and AFr R. ltae burn was elected general secretary. Any seaman who happens to be i port is permitted to attend the genera 1 meetings that are held in Sydney, s that no doubt accounts for the rapic changes. The real work of the unio is done by branch secretaries, so nc ually the union does not suffer a grodeal by the strange contortions of tb governing body.