NEW ZEALAND HEROES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 224, 10 December 1927, Page 27 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND HEROES

ROLL OF HONOUR Press Association. WELLINGTON, Friday. Information has been received in Wellington that the war Roll of Honour of the New Zealand Engineers, forwarded to England a few weeks , ago, has been duly deposited in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. FACTION FIGHT IN SEAMEN’S UNION JOHNSON’S TACTICAL MOVE Contrary to expectations, the Sydney branch of the Australian Seamen’s Union did not discuss the waterfront dispute at their stop-work meeting in the Communist Hall. The maritime upheaval was completely overshadowed by a fight between the followers of Mr. Tom Walsh, general president, and the supporters of the Federal secretary, Mr. J. Johnson. Nominations closed at the meeting for all positions in the union, and when the nominations were read out it was found that Mr. T. Walsh had nominated for general secretary, and Mr. Johnson for general president. As Mr. Walsh was the only nominee, he was elected general secretary unopposed. The announcement that Mr. Johnson had nominated for general president caused an uproar. It was generally considered that Mr. Walsh had contested the general secretaryship in the belief that he would be opposed by Mr. Johnson. Some time ago a challenge was made on his behalf that he would oppose Mr. Johnson for any position in the organisation. Mr. Johnson was accused of having “squibbed” the issue, but he retorted that “intriguers must be played at their own game.” His supporters' claimed that by avoiding a contest with Mr. Walsh he had scored a tactical victory. It is considered, however, that if tie had contested the same position Mr. Walsh would have defeated him. Mr. Johnson will be opposed for the general presidency by Mr. A. Baker. Seamen anticipate that the followers of Mr. Walsh will now endeavour to have the position of general president abolished, on the ground that the duties of that office could be performed by the general secretary. Mr. T. Fleming, State secretary, will be opposed by Mr. T. King, and Mr. E. Lucas (State assistant-secretarv) by Messrs. H. Brennan and G. Barnett. Mr. H. O'Neill, vigilant officer, will be opposed by Mr. A. Smith. It was announced that Mr. H. Carrigan was elected secretary of the Queensland branch unopposed. The former general secretary (Mr. W. Raeburn) will contest the position of secretary of the Victorian branch against Mr. C. O’Neill Mr. W. Cameron was elected Federal returning officer, and ballot papers will be issued next week. The ballot will close on the last Tuesday in January. The action of the crew of the Katoomba, in refusing to man the vessel in Western Australia, because of a dis- I pute regarding the food, was endorsed ; by the meeting.