The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1915-04-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

BIRKENHEAD.  himinflf heard. The meeting wag .old in the dock sheds of the Blue FuMei Link kindly set apart by Mr. Lawrense Holt Bon the purpose. The aecretary of the Union on rising to speek was met with cat-call, and jeers. Mr. Sexton pointed out that acting on the instructions of the members of the Union on January 25th applications wet* arab in to the employers for an adviutoe._l4, . .  answer was received until February 17tik owing to the fact that the employers had to hold several meetings. On February 17th notifications were received from all over the port that unless an advance was given all the men would "down toole" by the 22nd inst. Owing to the terrible issue at stake and in view of the nation 'fighting for existence, the executive in strict accordance with the rules adopted the alternative of recommending the member" to accept a shilling a day increase aid leave the question a overtime to a more favourable period.  To an interrupter who shouted "Whs. about Friday night and Satardayr Mr. Sexton explained that was made the condition by the employers of a shilling a day. and, while he did not want to argue just then the merits of the case, he said 00 per cent, of the men on the Liverpool side of the river accepted it and could flat tolerate ,10 per cent, of the members lominating the Union. Mr. Sexton explained that this inconvenience, if it existed at all. would he equalised after the first week and would then disappear.  -Mr , dIT pointed to the quantity of wool stacked in the sheds, which he said was required for making uniforms for the soldiers. thousands of whom were without any' finiforms. The delivery of that wool was also being delayed. Re mentioned the case of Neuve Chapelle, where the munitions for the machine guns had run short, and which were delayed in delivery owing to dock congestion. He reterred also to the murders on the high seae of defenceleas women and children passengers by German submarines, and to defeat which extra activity by our naval scouts was reqvired. Any man who refused to do more than a men's share at this time, and who expected to keep all the little luxuries and vices of normal conditions, and because he could ;not keep them refused to do necessary work, was consciously or auconciously helping the enemy, every time 1.1. refused to do it.  Agada there ca a hONI and a shout Which reverbraled throtighout the building What the --- ha that got to Ato with us?"  An Inierrupter.seid !" You are our paid servant, and it's yOur duty to do as we tell Too.' . "tes, that's so," said Mr. Sexton. "i am a paid official of the Union, but all the money you ever earn,-or all the honour you may be able to bestow upon me as an official is not sufficient for me—to surrender my ideas of right and wrong, and if concessions to popular and silly clamour are the price I hare to pay to keep my official position, I refuse to subscribe to it, and I don't want the job." The men continued: to hail questions at Mr. Sexton which he tried vainly to answer to the satisfaction of- the pertdrbed crowd. Finding it was useless, he declared the meeting at an end, but not before the men decided not to accept the terms of the shipenters.