BROKEN PROMISES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18525, 29 October 1925, Page 9

BROKEN PROMISES.

COAL FOR STEAMER MAHIA, FARMERS VOLUNTEER IN LARGE NUMBERS. (ifSTRALIA;,- AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATE-.J BRISBANE. October 27. During a conference between the waterside workers and seamen and the shipping companies' representatives, at Gladstone, Captain Williams, of the steamer Mania, said the strike committee had broken its promises respecting coaling his vessel. He hud delayed coding until Wednesday, but ho did r.ot think the farmers would bo put oft' any longer. Coal was available, and the farmers had been promised a supply and police protection. The matter was then allowed to stand over until Wednesday night after the strikers had agreed to withdraw pickets. The" farmers of the district have been circularised urging that every loyal citizen should assist to protect voluntary workers at Gladstone to load coal. It is understood that if necessary any number of farmers from 2-30 to 1000 will go to Gladstone. Ban on British Vessels. The attitude of the strike committee, towards British vessels with coloured crews appears to be undecided. There is no indication whether the committee- intends to enforce the decision of the strikers that all British ships entering Brisbano shall be ?declared black. It has been disclosed that the crews of the tugs state that they will refuse to handle any ship on which an embargo is placed. The threat of the tug hands not to handle "black" ships was forestalled when three Britirdi vessels berthed at the Pinkcnba wharf instead of proceeding up the river. These vessels will thus be enabled to leave the port without the aid of tu^s. Faced With Ruin. Advices from Bowcn state that the lawless element is terrorising the residents. It is reported that armed extremists are intimidating the watersidcrs from taking part in a secret ballot on the rotary system. The position at Inkernian is alarming, and unless- relief is forthcoming this week the farmers will be faced with starvation and niter ruin l . A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce decided to telegraph to the Premier declaring that his protection is demanded, otherwise it is feared that the farmers who are now desperate will take matters into their own hands. WATERSIDERS LOSE WAGES. (AUSTRALIAN" AND K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) PERTH, October 27. As a result of the seamen's strike and the embargo placed on Fremantle by the owners less than? fifty per cent, of the watersiders there are working and those working are averaging only fifty shillings weekly .wages. CUP VISITORS DISAPPOINTED. • (Received October 28th, 9.26" jp.ni.) SYDNEY, October 28. '. The Huddart Parker Company has decided to tie up the steamer Zealandia on the eve of leaving for Melbourne with a heavy list of passengers en route for the Cup. This action is the outcome of the steamship owners' conference and a reply to the seamen's job-control methods in. tying up the Ulimaroa .pjid other vessels. It was considered that owing to the congestion in shipping at Fremantle, it would not be advisable to send the Zealandia on the western trip. Many intending Cup visitors are sorely disappointed. STRIKERS RUSH SHIP. POLICE AND DECK OFFICERS STAND FIRM. (atjstbalus and n.z. cable association.) • (Received October 28th, 11.20 p.m.) FREMANTLE, October 2S. .A'couple of hundred strikers,headed by the secretary of the Seamen' 3 Union, took an ambulance to the steamer Karoola for the purpose of removing from the vessel to the hospital a member of the crew injured in connexion -with strike trouble. The police intervened, and persuaded the men to abide by the decision of three doctors called to examine the injured man. The doctors reported that ho was receiving treatment equal to what he would get in hospital. The strikers, ignoring a promise to refrain from rushing the ship, attempted to do so when the gangway was lowered for the doctors. The police and the ship's officers ejected them. ■ The strikers' efforts to induce the crew of the Enton to join them proved futile. MANUKA' TEMPORARILY DELAYED. (ArSTEAiUK AXD N.Z. CABLS ASSOCIATION.) (Received Oetober 2Sth, 11.20 p.m.) MELBOURNE, October 28. The Manuka's departure was .temporarily delayed, five firemen absenting themselves. Under the persuasion of their mates they returned, enabling the vessel to sail at three o'clock this Afternoon. INTIMIDATION CHARGE FAILS. (rBF.SS ASSOCIATION T! LECRAV.I NEW PLYMOUTH, October 2S. In the Magistrate's Court this mornujit a charge of intimidation of a wharf labourer named Simpson, laid against Bobert Fnlton, secretary of the local i Watersiders' Union, was dismissed, the Magistrate holding that tlie law required proof of a threat of personal violence which was not forthcoming. The case, which was heard on October ; 21st, arose through Simpson assisting to <r et the Port Dunedin away.