Unrest Among Arapuni Workers

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 77, 22 June 1927, Page 13

Unrest Among Arapuni Workers

TALK OF SECESSION “DESERTED BY LEADERS” The opinion among members of the Arapuni branch of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, that their leaders deserted them in the recent strike, is responsible for considerable unrest there. TT is possible that the 400 odd workers concerned will secede from the New Zealand Workers’ Union and join the Auckland General Labourers’ Union. A meeting has been called for Sunday week at which Mr. J. B. Williams, organiser for the union, and Mr. A. Cook, general secretary, have been asked to be present. An explanation will probably be asked of them. During the strike a conference of the union was being held in Wellington. Mr. Williams put in a hurried appearance at Arapuni on his way South, but Mr. Cook failed to present himself. The men Having been ordered to surrender by their executive, held out and obtained what they asked by their own efforts. It is alleged that at one time Mr. Williams had a loan of a motor-car from Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Co. Ltd., which the union members took exception to and requested him to return. Interviewed this morning, Mr. J. Sutherland stated he had no information to give on the subject. He had been at Arapuni during the strike and had addressed two meetings of the men. “Probably there will be something eventuating out of it, but I have not the faintest idea what will happen,” he stated. Mr. Sutherland will leave for the country on Thursday. The conference tentatively set down for Thursday to finalise clauses in the new agreement has been postponed for a few days.