POSITION IN ENGLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 199, 24 August 1925, Page 7

POSITION IN ENGLAND.

ANGER AGAINST EXTREMISTS. LONDON, August 23. The unofficial strike of seamen in England is nor expected to last for many hours longer. Late on Saturday niirht only half a dozen picket? ronirJned at the Ea?t Tndia docks, and the police had been reduced. Ninety men were taken from London to Gravesend yesterday to replace the crew of the Orient liner Orvieto. They •uere quartered at the sea school. At night 3<X> seamen endeavoured to force the doors, but the disorder ivas not serious. Tlie demonstrators were dispersed at 3 a.m. Extra police were ' drafted to the East India dock? owing: to the pickets there molestinsr seamen who were returning to their ships. The union officials are counteraetin? the work of the pickots by urging , the Eeamen to honour the agreement. The chairman of the P. and O. Company stated that the trouble was not serious. They had got the necessary men. all of whom were unionists. Forty men joined the Orvieto to-day, but the other members of the crew refused to 20 aboard, and decided to remain at the sea-school until arrangements have been made to take them to their homes at Portsmouth. The leader of the striker? declares that thr president of the Seamen"? Union. Mr. Havelock Wilson, has abused his powers by cons**ntin£r to a reduction in wages without consulting the delegates to the conference. The strikers intend to to the Trades Union foncrress and to the Transnort "Workers' Union for support. The Orvieto is not to sail to-day a = the trouble with the crew has not ye f . been settled. Mr. Menson. assistant- r <»eretary of] the Seaman's Union, says he is at pro- | pent unable to indicate what stens are likely to be taken in connection with the unauthorised strike in Australia. Thermion has cabled for information :md expects a reply on Monday. when tlx , executive would discuss it.— <A. and y.Z.— Reuter.) j AUSTRALIAN INFLUENCE. j SYDNEY. August 23. Cablegrams from British shipowners to their representatives in the Commonwealth are "definitely anainst giving way to the demands of the seamen. Although the Prime Minister. Mr. S. M Bruce, ha.* lx*en asked in communications from England to intervene it is ; unlikely that he will take any action j at nresent. The steamer City or Kimberley got away from Melbourne for South Africa yesterday, but six other vessels are tied up there. The Mongolia resumed her journey ■ i-orr. Adelaide to Melbourne, her crew n..t having joined in tire dispute. Three other overseas vessels have been rendered idle.-(A. and >.Z. Cable.)