THE TWO UNIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 April 1927, Page 12

THE TWO UNIONS

SEAMAN CLAIMS DAMAGES MR. W. T. YOUNG’S EVIDENCE (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The case in which James Brennan, a seaman, is proceeding against F. P. Walsh, F. Newfield, and the Wellington Seamen’s Union for damages of £SO. on the ground that he had been wrongfully prevented from obtaining employment by the defendants’ threats, was continued to-day. William Thomas Young said he had held the position of secretary to the seamen’s organisation for 285 years. Last year there were three local industrial unions of seamen registered in New Zealand and he now held the office of general secretary in the federation and also secretary to the Wellington local union. All members in New Zealand, who were financial on the books, irrespective of the local industrial union, were eligible to vote for the position of general secretary. THE NEW UNION Mr. Hoggard (for the plaintiff!: So that the members of the Auckland f.nd Dunedin organisations were eligible to vote for the officers of the Wellington one?—Yes. Mr. Hoggard: What was the ref pit of the first ballot? —There was a majority of 385 in favour of withdrawal. Mr. Hoggard: Why was the second ballot taken?—A Quibble was raised by Auckland that the ballot paper was not in form and the council decided to take another one. That closed on January 31 and resulted in an overwhelming majority, 633, in favour of deregistration. The total number of votes was S3O. The object of deregistration vas to enable one union to be formed, the name of which had been suggested as “The National Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand.” Mr. Hoggard: In the meantime a certain amount of dissension had arisen among the men.—My knowledge was that it arose among the officials, not among the men. Mr. Hoggard: What information did you receive about the formation of -he new union? —I was informed by the registrar of industrial unions that he had registered the union at 12.30 pjnon January 25, with 50 members. ONE MAN AGAINST FIFTY Mr. Hoggard: What happened to you on the new union coming to life?—A number of men came to my office, evidently the advance guard, and later on Mr. Walsh came along, followed by the members of his alleged commission. Another 40 or 50 men followed them and it was a case of one man, myreuagainst the lot. I was asked to nano over the keys to Mr. Walsh and to g*out. I declined to do either and Walsn vigilance officer commenced to putna hands in my pockets. Mr. Hoggard: I do not think we wanall the details. Briefly you were P L out?—Yes. _ Referring to the Kaimai case wun said that Newfield, in reply to a qu tion, said there was no objection _ Brennan signing on if he clia , r l ge^ cirr number, which meant he should re b from the union and join the new ganisation. Mr. Hoggard: Did Newfield say _ would happen if Brennan dia change his union and went on the mai?—He said he thought the m would not take her to sea. The hearing was adjourned un April 28. _