MARCH TO GAOL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18487, 15 September 1925, Page 8

MARCH TO GAOL.

ARAWA'S STRIKING CREW

BANNERS, MUSIC, CHEERS

CRESS ASSOCIATION TELEUSAM.)

WELLINGTON. September 14

A procession which escorted the Arawa's striking seamen to the Terrace Gaol this morning formed up in Waring street. After ~ delay of about half an hour, i u -svhit-li the men and their banners were photographed from every conceivable angle, and a crowd had gathered which blocked the street, the procession moved off.

At the head was the old banner of the New Zealand Branch of tho Feder- ?<^ d * Scaineu ' s L " ni °», with its motto, .Defence Not Defiance," and its emblem of three entwined S's, representing the division of the 24-hour day. Then followed banners made up for toe occasion—"Prison Before Slavery," "Arawa's Answer (Good Old Haveloek, We Don't Think)," "Victims of Wilson's Treacherv," "23 Are Out to Win," "The First Bound."' Each ship had its own banner, with the Arawa last in order.

Mr E. Kennedy, secretary of tho Cooks' and Stewards' Union, with other union officials, walked in. front, and acted as guide to the procession, which numbered somo 500 men from ships, as well as some hundreds, of curious and sympathetic persons. Marching Songs.

The route followed lay along Customhouse quay, across Post Office square, and up Willis street to Abel-Smith street. The men sang various songs, including "Tho Red Flag." To the tune of "John Brown's Body" were heard the words, " Solidarity "for Ever; Union Makes Us Strong." At intervals there were cries of "Are We Downhearted?" and answers of "No!" and "Will We Win?" and the loud reply, "Yes!" Traffic was aot dislocated, as the column narrowed down going up Willis street, and the proceedings, though noisy, were quite orderly. Largo crowds qjme out into the streets and thronged windows and doorsteps to see the seamen go past. At Gaol Gates. The procession turned up Abel-Smith street, but stopped on the approach which climbs steeply up to the gaol. Hero the ranks of tho leading sections .divided, the men stepping to either side to form a lane. Through this, am|d rousing cheers, came with a rush up from the rear 86 of tho Arawa's crew, and they went through the gates swiftly up the steep slope, until they came on to the cleared, site of the gaol buildings at the head of ±he steps, and up to the old-fashioned doorway now giving admission to the inner precincts of tho prison. At the doorway were two warders in uniform, and three clerks and officials in mufti. One had a list with namcß on it, and another drew from a suit-case a vast bundle of blue papers, evidently individual warrants for those sentenced in absence, but now ready to answer to their names. The party of about a hundred drew up in order, which showed that the men had had war experience, at the foot of the steps. Mr Kennedy mounted to the top of the first flight, and stood at the rail announcing* the procedure. The men were to answer to their names and then to go up the steps and into the building. , *he Roll-Call. The first name called was "Hopkins, G.," and there was a cheer as Hopkins called "Here" and ran up the Bteps. There were cheers and farewells 1 as he continued up, and answered a query from the man with blue papers, and j then passed in through the door, i Langden, the seaman whose case was j made the test, proved a fine-lo(4ting type of sailor. Someone in the crowd mentioned that most of the men had seen service during the war, and said that prison would hav<J no terrors for them.

In a slight pause someone called out, "Wilson, Haveloek," and there was a ehoruti of hoots. Quickly the squad of the Arawa's men grew smaller and smaller, and by and by it came to the turn of the last man" to go up. His name was Warren, and he got a special cheer. '

ONE MONTH.

BENICIA MEN SENTENCED,

(pbsbs assocuhos tbusq&ak.)

AUCKLAND, September 14,

There was an orderly, but none tb,e less sympathetic demonstration by a large gathering of seamen in the vicinity of the Police Court, wbeii eight members of the crew of the steamer Benixaa, who were before the Court last week, appeared* on charges of continued disobedience of commands and neglect of duty. Prior to reporting at the Court they paraded Queen street with 30 or 40' companions, carrying a banner bearing the ultimatum "we prefer gaol to starvation wages." When charged before Mr E. C. Cutten 8.M., they all pleaded "not guilty." On behalf of the master of the vessel, Mr'R. McVeagh said that there had been no change in the attitude of the men since their appearance in Court last Wednesday. They had been ordered to return to the vessel, in respect to a charge of being absent without leave. On Thursday six returned to the ship, and they were followed by two others on Friday. When interviewed by the Master, they were unanimous in their decision not to work.

Robert Lennie, Master of the Benicia said they had all refused duty, and had been fed at the expense of the shipowners since their return. Witness indicated entries in the ship's log relating to the conduct of the eight men.

Mr Cutton said there was no alternative but to impose terms of imprisonment. The reasons advanced by the men for their neglect of duty were not such as could be accepted by the Court as an excuse. Each man was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. They were cheered by a gathering of seamen as they were driven off to gaol.