SEAMEN’S DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 88, 12 January 1928, Page 8

SEAMEN’S DISPUTE

UNION’S THREAT CREWS TO LEAVE INTER-STATE VESSELS OWNERS DECIDE TO STAND BY LAW The Victorian branch of the Seamen’s Union lias decided that the crews of all inter-State vessels shall leave their ships, if the dispute is not settled within fourteen days. The owners say they are nut prepar. ed to allow rhe law to stand in abeyance and place themselves at the mercy of the men. BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Copyright. Melbourne, January 11. The Victorian branch of the Seamen’s Union decided that, if a satisfactory settlement of the seamen’s- dispute were not reached within fourteen days, crews of all inter-State vessels would leave their ships immediately on arrival at home ports. This is interpreted ‘to mean that a general strike will be declared if the Sydney branch endorses the decision. The steamship owners concerned in the seamen’s dispute state that they have done all in their power to keep trade going, but they are not prepared to allow the law to stand in abeyance and place themselves at the mercy of the men. Holding that the next move should come from the seamen, they have decided to leave the vessels when the seamen abandoned them and await developments. The statement adds that since January of last year, on no fewer than 111 occasions, vessels have been delayed through actions of members of the Seamen’s Union. EXTENSION THREATENED BY SEAMEN AT BRISBANE (Rec. January 11, 8.15 p.m.) Brisbane, January 11. A mass meeting of seamen decided ■to recommend to the Federal executive of the union that if the trouble was continued and the owners persisted in their present policy of placing vessels out of commission, the dispute be extended to all vessels, and that this proposal be recommended to the general membership of the union.

MOTOR SHIP TIED UP (Rec. January 11, 8.15 p.m.) Sydney, January 11. When the owners called, for a crew to man the motor-ship Muridalla the men refused to offer and the vessel was tied up. The men’s decision to bovcott the Mundalla was reached because cargo from the steamer Canberra had been transhipped to her.