BRITISH SEAMEN

Evening Star, Issue 19025, 21 August 1925, Page 5

BRITISH SEAMEN

IN AUSTRALIAN PORTS OBJECTION TO WACE REDUCTIONS TALK OF STRIKE. Press Association—By Telegraph —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Press Association. SYDNEY, August 21. (Received August 21, at 10.40 a.m.) One thousand seamen, firemen, and stewards from every British, ship in Sydney hold a meeting to discuss tho agreement made in England whereby a reduction of FI per month was to bo made, in wages. Tho officials oi the Australian Seamen’s Union, including Messrs 'Walsh, Fleming, and Johansen, where present, and promised that they would support the men. After Mr Walsh had addressed tho meeting the men resolved not to do any more work until they were guaranteed that there would he no reduction in the rates at which they signed on. Tho guarantee must bo given through the Australian Federated Seamen’s Union, and the owners must also guarantee that there would be no logging for refusal of duty. A further motion was passed that tho men in other ports should be informed of the action, and asked to take similar steps. Tiie vessels affected are the /Eneas. Cooee, Cbitral, Calulu, .Onuna, Port Darwin, Semiramis, Surrey, and Thcmistocles.

The Port Darwin will bo the first vessel to bo affected, as she is duo to sail this morning.

The crow desired not to return to tiie vessel after the meeting, but were told to go back and to refuse duty. In tho event of the officers taking the ship to sea, the men were assured that she would never get post tho next Australian port at which she touched. Another meeting will be held this morning. The wages of British seamen and firemen after tho reduction would lie £9 10s and £9 respectively per month. NOT VIEWED SERIOUSLY. MELBOURNE, August 21. (Received August 21, at 10.40 a.m.) Mr Arnold W. Johnston, chairman of the Overseas Shipowners of Australia, states that lie does not view seriously the possibility of a, strike on overseas vessels. He had been advised of the events in Sydney, but ho pointed out that there had been many fluctuations in tiie wages of British seamen lately. This was only one of thorn.