LEADER ATTACKED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 62, 24 December 1935, Page 5

LEADER ATTACKED

THROWN OUT OF MEETING. MILITANT SEAMEN’S ACTION. MINERS PROMISE SUPPORT. (United Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, December 23. Nearly 2000 seamen gathered at a mass meeting to-day, ostensibly to deal with the order of the Industrial Commission that crews of colliers tradihg between Newcastle and Sydney should go on working. The meeting adopted a very hostile attitude to Mr Jacob Johnson (general secretary of the union), who, while urging the men to respect the order of the Commission, was howled down. Mr Johnson, however, persisted in talking, and several men, responding to exclamations of “Chuck him out!” rushed and threw him on the street. When ho rose, with blood pouring from his head, he- refused medical aid and also refused to comment on the incident. Mr J. Keenan, leader of the Strike Committee, accused Mr Johnson of supplying misleading statements to the Press and owners about the effect of the award, which Mi" Johnson had claimed bestowed many benefits, chiefly in wages, on the seamen. Mr C. Herbert (secretary of the Sydney branch) submitted a motion claiming that it would be in the best interests of the seamen’s Union if the crews of colliers returned to work forthwith in accordance with the Industrial Commissioner’s direction. Mr Keenan submitted an amendment endorsing the stop-work action of the crews of colliers, and . this was carried with only two dissentients. ■ The meeting discussed the strike generally and heard a message read frpm northern miners, which, stated that if the seamen’s strike was not settled after the holidays, when the miners are due to resume, they would go on strike in every pit in Australia. The meeting also empowered the Strike Committee to precipitate a general coastal strike, if necessary involving inter-State vessels. The shipowners report that a significant development during the week-end was the application by several unionists for licenses. . , The Australian Council of Trades Unions decided to-day to seek a further conference with Mr R. G. Menzies (the Federal Attorney-General) to-morrow, and the unions affected will meet later in the day to hear Mr Menzies’ reply.

STRIKE AFFECTS DOMINION. \ ' • ‘ \ ■}, . ’ s , . f ■. : TOURIST TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED., SYDNEY, December 23. Though Christmas trade in all capital cities of, the Commonwealth is reported to be of record'dimensions because of greater, spending power and the return of better times, the shipping strike has caused inconvenience to holiday-makers, large numbers of whom had contemplated cruises to the islands, to New Zealand, or to other States. •Big overseas liners, which are not affected by tho strike, are consequently reaping a harvest, lor .in addition to being permitted to carry inter-State passengers while the strike lasts, they have been able to accommodate a large proportion of those whose cruises have been spoiled by the seamen’s dispute. Australian shipowners express tlie opinion that the strike should not last long. They are confident of victory, which, with the licensing system in operation, should ensure comparative immunity from future hold-ups. They support their opinion by the substantial number of freighters which have resumed normal running, and by the statements that a percentage of seamen are tiring of enforced idleness. THE VOLUNTEER CREWS.

MELBOURNE, December 23. The Federal Attorney-General (Mr R. G. Menzies) states that the total number of vacancies filled by non-unionists on coastal vessels now in commission is as follows: Sydney, 29 per cent; Melbourne, 55 per cent; Brisbane, /-3 per cent; Port Adelaide, 57 per cent; Newcastle, 32 per cent.