STRIKE DRAGS ON.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 233, 2 October 1925, Page 7

STRIKE DRAGS ON.

INTIMIDATING LOYALISTS.

PROTECTION SOUGHT FOR MEN

SEAMEN AND ELECTIONS. (By Cable.—rress Association.—Copyright.) (Received 12 noon.) SYDNEY, this day. On the arrival of the Orvicto from Jlelbourne, owing to intimidation at other ports, the vessel will remain at anchorage, where adequate protection can be afforded by the owners to loyal members of tin- crew. A Melbourne message says that 4S firemen and 12 seamen from the steamer Suevic, on arrival from England, decided to join the strike. Jlr. Bruce, Prime Minister, said be had received a telegram from the overseas shipping representatives at Perth setting out the facts regarding intimidation of the crew of the steamer Demodocus, stating that no police, protection was available. The Commissioner of Police admits he cannot cojic with the situation.

Mr. Bruce telegraphed to the Premier of "Westralia asking him what action lie proposes to take for the protection of loyal seamen, and what assurances can be given that, arriving steamers will not be subject to similar interference such a-s occurred in the case of the Dcmodocus.

An Adelaide message says it is probable the steamer Ascanins will be able to leave port shortly, as several men who have been released from gaol have returned to the vessel. Many men also returned to the Balrannld.

Trouble exists in Labour circles in regard to tho position to be taken in the strike. It is said that many unions refused to make levies for the support of strikers owing to the cost of the approaching elections. They have intimated that the seamen must be abandoned till after the campaign.— (A. and N_. Cable.)

VIOLENCE IN FREMANTLE.

PLAIN WORDS FROM OWNERS. SYDXEY, October I. The Overseas Shipping Representatives' Association has received advice from the British shipowners' committee stating that, unless adequate guarantees of effective police protection are forthcoming, no overseas British ships will call at Fremantle. The statement says:

"The physical force and mob violence directed against British unionists are significant as indicating the desperate tactics of the Red element, which was responsible for the strike. More serious still is the failure to provide police protection. When physical violence takes command it is a certain sign that the situation of the strikers is becoming critical.

"The British shipowners have no intention of submitting their loyal men to violence and, unless adequate guarantees of police protection are forthcoming, our vessels will cease to call at Fremantle."

The statement denies that any negotiations are proceeding for a settlement of the strike on the basis of a restoration of the former rates of pay. It says: "The only terms on which the men Will be ngain employed include their unconditional return to work."

When 63 members of the crew of the Orama appeared at the Police Court today to answer charges arising out of the seamen's strike, counsel for the shipowners asked that the charges be withdrawn. The men cheered lustily as they left the Court.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) " WHARF LABOURERS. ATTITUDE TO SEAMEN. SYDNEY, October 1. The president of the Waterside Workers' Federation has issued a statement clearly defining the attitude of that organisation toward the seamen's strike. It states: "The federation emphatically refuses to be drawn into the dispute. It has supported as far as possible the action of'the British seamen Who have chosen to take direct action 12,000 miles from the origin of the dispute.

+*, • a * temßt has been made to win the dispute at the expense of certain -Australian mnritime unions. The officials of the Waterside Workers' Federation have never been consulted over the dispute. They have simply been informed by the advisers of those men and by self-appointed authorities that an injury to one is an injury to all. Their trouble to-day may be the waterBide workers' to-morrow.

As far as the expulsion of Mr. Havelock Wilson is concerned it has nothing to do with the trade unions in Australia, where the unions have enough to do to keep their own officials in order. This federation advises seamen to take their disputes where they belong, as the unions in Australia have enough to do to fight their own battles."—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) EFFECT ON TRADE. (Received 1 p.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. At a meeting of importers and exPorters to discuss the effect on trade of tne shipping strike, the opinion was expressed that commercial interests should nrnke their own arrangements for mann 'ng, loading and unloading vessels. A committee was formed to ensure a representative attendance of merchants « a meeting to be held early next week. (A. and N.Z. Cable.) WAGES TEST CASE. T 0 GO TO ADMIRALTY COURT. LONDON, October 1. Several officials of the Amalgamated -lanne Workers' Union were present at ">e Southampton Court to hear a shipP'ng strike test case. Frederick Jacklin % fireman fl ' om Oie Union Castle ncr Saxon, claimed 24/ as wages. He contended that under the Merchant „„ l?P ln ? Act the senmen's wages were Unalterable.

Jv ■} coursp of the case Jackson's solicitor requested that after the evidence had been heard the matter should ™» referred to tho Admiralty Court in Counsel contended that the attonal Mnritime Board had acted ultra es m entering into a wages agreetheS a S t 7°" t,lirds of the members of nn ': ea ™ ~n 's Union were not represented 011 the board. iw\ , ma Sistrate referred the case to C Admiralty Court.—(Reuter.)