Two men load bales on the left, balanced on the right by the outline of New Zealand and the four stars of the Southern Cross. Through' in red ink are prominent in the centre of the card and are beneath the cardholder's name and designation. Beneath this at centre, and breaking the rope, is a red globe of the world with workers' hands clasped around it. The Union's stamp and signatures of its officials authorise the card. The bodies and tails of rats are arranged to form the outline, nose, eyes and mouth of Walsh's face.
Ships lie idle in Wellington Harbour.
The foreground shows a line of ships jammed up along the wharf frontage unable to load or unload their cargo. The sky is overcast and the water in the harbour is very calm.