ALLEGED SEDITIOUS STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 159, 5 July 1917, Page 2

ALLEGED SEDITIOUS STRIKE.

SIX FIREMEN CHARGED. (By Telegraph.—l'ress Association.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday. At the Magistrate's Court this afternoon, eight tiremen belonging to a collier on special service—G. Anscombc. \V. M. Ureen, Robert Hand. John Matthews. VV. Major, Charles McLean, W. Sime, and 1\ Fitshail —were charged with lieing parties to a seditious strike. Mr. 1 , . !?. K. Macassey of the Crown Law Office. who appeared for tlie prosecution, sadi proceedings had been taken under regulation 2 which provided penalties for a

"seditious" strike. The steamer in ijiiecition arrived in New Zealand in .June last, from Newcastle. Some trouble arose in regard to cook ing meals on the boat. The trouble on the collier, which was being used to coal a Home liner, delayed the latter for four days, costing the owners £00 a day extra and causing great inconvenience. It was found impossible to get a new crew of firemen for the collier. Counsel contended that men in concert deciding not to sign on had been guilty of a breach of the regulation. He would not deny that anyone fireman, if he wanted to sign off tlie vessel, had a perfect right to do so. but the fault in the present cas- lay in tbe fact that the men had acted in concert.

The case for tlie prosecution was beard and tlie case adjourned until Monday.