STRIKE TO CONTINUE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 50, 10 December 1935, Page 5

STRIKE TO CONTINUE

DECISION OF THE MEN. OPPOSITION TO LICENSES. NONE TO BE TAKEN OUT. (United Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, December 0. Contrary to expectations, there is no immediate sign of the seamen returning to work in spite of the Government’s ultimatum. The strike committee of the Sydney branch of the Seamen’s Union met to-day and convened a mass meeting for to-morrow. The Melbourne seamen held a mass meeting to-day, and decided to continue the strike until Mr Jacob Johnson (general secretary of the union) reported back from Sydney, at the same time expressing the intention to abide by the decision of the Sydney seamen tomorrow. The meeting also decided that no member of the union should take out a transport worker’s license. The strike committee of the Sydney branch passed a resolution expressing strong 'resentment at the “provocative acts of the Federal Government, which threatened to compel the seamen to take out licenses.” The committee expressed the opinion that such action would be certain to bring about an extension of the dispute. Their statement added, “It is our intention to continue the struggle until the owners agree to meet us in conference on the subject of a new agreement. We are prepared to man the ships under the conditions operating before the new award.” At Newcastle the seamen decided in favour of continuing the strike, but at Adelaide and Fremantle the seamen decided to be bound by the majority decision of Melbourne and Sydney. Fifty-three vessels aro tied up at Australian ports, including several large passenger vessels. Five more ships became idle at Melbourne to-day and three at Bydney. Holyman’s Airways Service have redoubled their efforts to increase the frequencies of services between Melbourne and Tasmania.

PRECAUTIONS ON THE WHARVES POLICE ON SPECIAL DUTY. OTHERS HEED 1 IN RESERVE. 1 (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. As a precaution against trouble on the waterfront to-day a squad of police has been placed on special strike duty. For some days extra men, mostly in plain clothes, have patrolled the wharves, but these will be supplemented by additional uniformed men and detectives. Another squad will be held in reserve at police headquarters in case of . sudden emergency. At Canberra the Attorney-General (Mr Menzies) denied that Commonwealth police were being stationed on the Sydney waterfront. CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. GOVERNMENT ACTION PENDING. SYDNEY, December 9. It is reported that the shipowners intend to call for volunteer crews at all ports to-morrow, irrespective of the outcome of the seamen’s meeting. The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) at Canberra to-night stated that the Federal Executive Council would meet to-morrow to approve and gazette regulations under the Transport Workers’ Act, which would introduce the licensing of seamen at those ports where work is not resumed. The number of licenses to be issued would depend on the number of men required to man the idle vessels at any particular port. Mr Lyons expressed a hope that the men would do the sensible thing at the eleventh hour. Should the Government be compelled to take action, it would be due solely to the men themselves. The Government no longer would defer action.

ATTEMPT TO EXTEND TROUBLE. POSITION OF INTER-STATE VESSELS. SYDNEY, December 9. It is understood that the seamen tomorrow will ascertain whether they can' involve inter-State vessels whose crews are at present working under a State award. STEAMERS' COURSE ALTERED. CREWjS JOIN STRIKERS AT MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, December 9. Two Huddart Parker colliers, the Yarra and the Colac, bound from Newcastle for Melbourne at the week-end, attempted to call at Geelong to unload coal, but the crew of each vessel threatened to refuse to supply steam if the voyage was not made direct to Melbourne. The colliers continued direct to Melbourne, and the men, who had given notice at sea, joined the strikers.