STRIKE TO CONTINUE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 9

STRIKE TO CONTINUE

Sydney Seamen Reaffirm Former Decision COASTAL MEN’S REQUEST By •Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received January 13, 8.50 p.m.) Sydney, January 13. At a mass meeting of striking seamen to-day delegates from inter-State ships asked to be allowed to go back to work, claiming that by remaining in employment they could do more by means of a levy on their pay to assist the strike than by remaining idle. However, with only one dissentient, the meeting reaffirmed its general strike decision of December 6. Representatives of the Miners’ Central Council reported that the miners bad decided to collect a levy of 2J per cent, on their next two pay day.,, the proceeds Io be devoted to the as sistanee of seamen apd miners who are now on strike. The miners’ delegates also assured the meeting that their members would not hew coal - for ships manned by licensed seamen. Mr. J. JI. Dunningham. New South Wales Minister of Labour, has announced the result of the secret ballot which was recently ordered to be taken among seamen employed on coastal vessels. Of 232 men entitled to vote, 179 did so. The result was: For the strike 13, against, the strike 156, informal 10. The crews of six inter-State vessels, including one -passenger ship, gave notice upon arrival at Sydney at the week-end. At Melbourne a conference of Federal unions affected by the strike and the emergency committee of the Australian Council of Trade Unions discussed a suggestion that the A.C.T.U. headquarters be transferred to Sydney for the duration of the strike. While it is possible that the conference may decide to hold a meeting at Sydney it is not considered likely that there will oe any change in the policy of the unions, which is against extending the dispute. It is felt at the Trades Hall that If a conference were held at Sydney it would be to discuss terms for a resumption of work. The system of permitting applications for seamen’s licenses by post, which was introduced at Sydney last week, is now being applied to Melbourne.