SEAMEN'S ATTITUDE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 103, 28 October 1913, Page 8

SEAMEN'S ATTITUDE

SYMPATHY STRIKE NOT LIKELY AN UNOFFICIAL MANIFESTO. i The attitude of the Seamen's Union has been a subject that has been much discussed during the' present struggle. Many reports, some of which were thought to be quite authentic, were put into circulation, but they all appear to have been groundless. One of the most consistent of them was that tho crews were coming out at midday, and announcements to this effect were macfo in several places. Midday arrived and departed, however, with no sign of a seamen's strike. By that time all the shipping, with the exception of the Westralia (due to sail at 2 p.m.) and the Maori jto sail at 8 p.m.), had put oat into the stream with their crews. One thing is certain — a section of the firemen and the seamen fully anticipated that there would be a strike by the members of their union. The official headquarters of the union. in the Queen's Chambers was visited by a fluctuating stream of individuals off the boate, who invariably asked the question : "What are we to do?" They were told that there was to bo no strike of seamen— at any rate for the present— and Teturned to their vessels. One of these men, a fireman off a steamer in port, dashed into the union's office a few moments before 12 o'clock with the excited enquiry — "What's it to be? We strike at 12 o'clock, don't we?" He added " told me." His informant, however, was a fireman like himself, and had no authority for making the statement. The following quaintly worded manifesto (which was not official, but which was prepared -by some individual striker) was posted up outside the Queen's Chambers, and was the centre of much attraction : — ■ "To the crew of _ (name of vessel to be filled in) greetings from loyal unionists. "It is desirable to draw your attention to tho Btate of affairs industrially existing on the waterfront. Doubtless you are wanting to know how long it will last and what steps we can take to end it, or whether we are, by our action in conEinuing it in our capacities on the various ships, to beat their own ends. The answer to this is ' Too true. 1 'Yes.' The question arises,, what are our executive and officers doing? Let me tell you, ' comrades, that it would be a bad day for unionists if you had to get your executive to advocate a strike after an agreement is made. A tip. Useful. If the crews of the ships give twenty-four hours' notice, all ships are rendered idle, and there is consequently no steam to work the winches," no men to handle the cargo, no strike, because you leave because you don't want to continue and no victimisation, because members are too great in numbers to specialise in, and there is no one agitating for you to strike and render idle the ships. Attention may be drawn to the fact that the company can and do dispense with you at leisure, individually and collectively. If you misbehave they discharge you. If the ship can't work they bundle you out en bloc. "Think what a service could be rendered to the cause of unionism at this stage by Such a noble action. Of cjaixsethey would apply to your secretary to supply new crews, but he has ample excuse to say that he will' use his utmost endeavours to get a new crew, but that the men won't go. ... Bo honest and fair to your fellow-workers, and that you will not turn on a steam valve or a shovel of coal, and you shall render them by such attitude hors de combat. Fellow-workers and unionists, fraternal greetings from us all. ... Bar any man that while a lock-out is called or cargo handled by free labour. Direct cause of lock-out: Victimisation of over 100 unionists, on various steamers." The puzzling manifesto is neatly typewritten, and is evidently for distribution among the crew's of the different vessels. In fact, some of the firemen on t-he vessels have, it is understood, forwarded a reply to it to headquarters, bat this is not yet forthcoming for publication.