SEAMEN AND THE PUBLIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 45, 23 February 1926, Page 6

SEAMEN AND THE PUBLIC.

' The prosecution of the Matangi's I striking seamen may do some good by ; showing those who are disposed to inter- • fere with transport in this way that i there is a law on the subject. Iv is I significant that the men put up no defence in Court, which confirmed the impression marie at the time that the strike was utterly without justification. The enforcement of the law against strikes will be welcomed by the public, ■ which is liable to the severest inconvenience through such wanton dislocation of time-tables. It may be, however, that the eximpanies will eventually have to take a firmer stand. This sort of thing is not confined to Auckland. The other day men who had helped to work a ship to England during the strike were refused a passage from Wellington to the South Island by a passenger vessel— refused not by the owners, but by the crew. The would-be passengers had the fullest right to be carried, but the ship was put back and the men landed. For all we know to the contrary, they may be in Wellington stilL There have been protests against this denial of a fundamental right, but the affair did not cause a stir commensurate with its j importance. :