SHIPS AND SEAMEN

Evening Star, Issue 19032, 29 August 1925, Page 9

SHIPS AND SEAMEN

THE TURMOIL IN AUSTRALIA SUGGESTIONS OF EARLY SETTLEMENT Press Association —By Telegraph— Copyright. Australian am] N.Z. Press Association. SYDNEY, August 20. (Received August 29, at 10.45 a.in.) The outlook for an early settlenici.it of the strike continues to improve. Tbo steamer Norfolk, manned by an entire white erew, lias left Fremantle for the United Kingdom. The crew of the Somerset at Townsville lias not so far come out. In Sydney additional men. are returning to their ships, but tho shipping agents are maintaining silence concerning this development in order that their exact strength may not bo ascertained. On some vessels the complement is being built up slowly, and miring the next few days it is expected that some vessels will sail.

Owing to the hold up of British ships the Australian Commonwealth Lino has decided to recommission the cargo steamer Cnoce immediately to servo the Sydney wool sales, which commenco on Monday. If tho strike continues into next week it is likely that the Dclnngra will also bo commissioned. The Cooee will provide employment for an Australian crow of seventy, and the Delnngra for about fortv-five men.

At the fourth mass meeting of British seamen Mr Walsh, referring to recent statements, said there would be no necessity to provide funds for n jaunt round the world for him (Mr Walsh) in order that ho might show Mr Havelock Wilson what could ho done. Tie declined to go to England for that purpose, and said: “ Wilson is (lie greatest industrial failure in the history ol the working class. Since 1919 ho lias made no effort to stop tho downward trend of their wages and conditions. With such an organisation ns the British Seamen’s Union it is a standing disgrace that men should have to fight 12,000 miles from tho centre of .Empire against a reduction in wages.” Mr Walsh said he would only accept the position, if ho desired it, of president of tho British Seamen’s Union on condition that ho appointed the whole of the officers, otherwise they would still he betrayed. Tho secretary of the British seamen's organisation (Mr Lyddnl) denied that there was discontent among the men, and that men were going hack to tho ships. Only two men had gone back to the Orma. The strikers ar<j being provided with three meals a day. It is stated that the cost is between £B'X) and £I,OOO weekly. FEDERAL POLICE FORCE BILL. MELBOURNE, August 29. (Received August 29, at 11 a.m.) Mr Bruce, speaking on the second reading of tho Police Officers- Bill, said the Commonwealth Oovernment had approached the New South Wales Ministry asking if there would bo any objection to tho Commonwealth Government approaching the Chief Justice of New South Wales asking for the use of one of the Supreme Court judges for tho Deportation Board. Tho reply was that there was no necessity for tin' Commonwealth Ministry to deport certain persons from Australia. The Commonwealth Government had the means for carrying out the object desired'id Now South Wales refused to ho embroiled in tho proceedings, as it considered that the Commonwealth _ Government was trying to involve N'e.v South Wales for political purposes. At midnight the second reading of the Bill was carried by 32 votes to 19. OPPOSED TO DEPORTATION. MELBOURNE, August 29. (Received August 29, at 11 a.in.) The Trades Hall Council, after considering tho strike, adopted the report of its Disputes Committee, recommending that all interstate labor councils and Labor Governments should co-oper-ate to prevent the deportation of any citizen. Tho report staled that Mr Bruco had been informed that there was no crisis warranting deportation, and that such a course would precipitate industrial crisis. NEW ZEALAND PORTS AT NEW PLYMOUTH. [Peu United Phess Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, August 29. The seamen on tho steamer Dor.-ot wont, on strike this morning. There is nothing fresh to report re the Port Dnnodin, which is still held up. The Physn. arrived at 8 a.in. from Napier, and is lying in the stream unable m find a berth. The Gahriella sailed lor Wanganui last night. WELLINGTON, August 29. Thorn is no change in the position regarding the overseas vessels in port here. The Tainui joined the oilier vessels in the stream this afternoon. So far tho New Zealand Shipping Company's Tnrakina is not affected, Iml developments may occur on Tuesday next, when she is limed to sail for Napier. Tho opinion held in shipping circles is that the trouble has now reached a deadlock. Both sides seem determined.