STRIKE SPREADS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 302, 21 December 1935, Page 9

STRIKE SPREADS.

COLLIERS INVOLVED.

Gas Companies Anxious Over

Supplies.

THOUSAND SEAMEN LOSE JOBS. United Prese Association.—Copyright. , (Received 11 aan.) SYDNEY, this day. Six colliers are now involved in the seamen's strike, one of -which is likely to be manned by volunteers. It is reported that the coal supplies of the Melbourne gasworks are running short, causing considerable concern to the industries dependent upon gas. The shipowners announce that 50 cargo vessels have already been manned by licensed volunteer crewa, and the owners estimate that at least 1000 members of the Seamen's Union have permanently lost their jobs.

The fact that the crews of some colliers had decided to make common cause with the striking seamen led to a compulsory conference of the parties concerned before Mr. Justice Cantor, of the State Industrial Commission.

The seamen and firemen of the colliers work under a State award, hence the sudden intervention of the State Industrial Commission, which regards the position as very serious.

Mr. Justice Cantor accordingly directed the executive of the New South Wales Seamen's Union to summon a general meeting of the branch for Monday and to do its utmost to induce the men to continue at work or to find others to take their places.

It was an unexpected development when the crew of a collier, without explanation, gave notice on, arrival at Sydney with a cargo of coal for the Australian Gaslight Company. This is the iirst inter-State vessel to be drawn into the dispute.