STRIKING SEAMEN

Evening Star, Issue 19044, 12 September 1925, Page 4

STRIKING SEAMEN

CLASH WITH POLICE POSITION IN BALANCE PEACE TALK >■ Prn« Association—By Telegraph—Copjrighi. Australian and N.Z. I’ress Association. SYDNEY, September 11. A serious clash between the strikers and -.the police, the first since the strike began, occurred at the central railway station. The police bad planned to raid the strikers while they were at the railwav refreshment room, where the union lind arranged that they bo supplied with meals. While the strikers were waiting to enter the dining room a detective suddenly rushed at a man, who lied along the platform. Another detective joined in the chase. The strikers charged after the detectives shouting, “Come on, all. Wo will got him out of it.” Over 100 strikers raced along the platform, dozens more who just arrived joining in. By the time the mass of strikers arrived at the roafl near the station the detectives had captured their man: The crowd then charged, knocking the detectives down and brutally striking them. ■ A violent struggle followed, and when a uniformed policeman arrived he drew his revolver and ordered the crowd to stand back. The detectives, although severely mauled, took the man to the station while the remainder wore held in check by the constable’s revolver. A meeting of ■ strikers reaffirmed their decision not to assist the police in any way.

Many seamen are walking the city armed with collection boxes, but so far the public are not responding. The Commonwealth Labor Council resumed its discussion of the Deportation Act. The greatest secrecy was preserved, but it is known that the council sent a message to the Waterside Workers’ Federation, asking a delegate to attend. No secret is now_ made of the fact that au ugly situation has developed, and the delegates declare that the slightest move affecting the trade union movement may precipitate a crisis. POLICE KEEPING WATCH. SYDNEY, September 11. (Deceived September 12, at 1.30 a.in). After the afternoon’s sensational arrest the police kept a sharp eye on the railway refreshment rooms, but there were no ’ further arrests. A large party of strikers hurriedly left the railway station with the object, they stated, of “dealing” with the ship’s officer who had identified some of the strikers, resulting in their arrest. The gang failed to find their prey. Large bodies of police are now assembled in the vicinity. Various points about the harbor where men may attempt to put off to tho idle ships are now strongly picketed. The strikers apparontlv anticipate defections in their ranks. DEPORTATION BOARD ADJOURNS. SYDNEY, September 11. ’(Received September 12, at 1.30 a.m.) After hearing the evidence of the piasters of several tied-up British steamers in relation to tho events leading up to the men leaving ships, and many sharp clashes between .opposing counsel, the Deportation Board adjourned till Monday. ATTEMPT AT SETTLEMENT MR LANG AS ARBITRATOR, SYDNEY, September 11. '(Received September 12, at 1.30 a.m.) It is considered likely that an attempt will bo made to settle the seamen’s strike in a similar way to that adopted in the recent Australian shipping crisis. Mr Lang is likely to he asked to act as negotiator between the strikers ami-owners. Wbile the greatest secrecy is maintained, it is extremely probable that a peace move will shortly bo made. A number of union leaders interviewed the Premier, and it is understood requested him to intervene. The Conference of Labor Councils is still sitting. Finality is not expected before Monday. So far between forty and fifty men have returned to the Grama. A further batch of strikers was sentenced to seven clays’ hard labor. MELBOURNE WARRANTS NOT EXECUTED. MELBOURNE, September 11. (Received September 12, at 1.30 a.m.) The police decided to withhold the execution of 23b warrants, ns the seamen are scattered about the suburbs. The union agreed that the nionshould march to police headquarters on Monday. The 'firemen and trimmers on the Mainari have struck. A HOPEFUL SIGN, SYDNEY, September 12. (Received September 12, at 10.20 a.m.) Pending tho execution of tho warrants issued against tho strikers no progress lias been made towards a settlement of the strike. Loading operations are being conducted in tho stream by the members of the Watereiders’ Federation on at least one of the idle vessels. This is taken as an indication that the struggle will not last much longer. DETERMINATION IN MELBOURNE MELBOURNE, September 12. (Received September 12 ,at 10.20 a.m.) A mass meeting of strikers decided that the imprisonment of the seamen had strengthened the resolution of the men, who were more determined than ever. It was decided to notify the owners if the demands of the strikers were not granted by September 19 a demand for Australian conditions and rates of pay would bo made. It was also decided to call out the crews of all British ships visiting Melbourne.

THE INTERSTATE TROUBLE. BRISBANE, Seutember 12. (Received September 12, at 10.30 a.m.) The interstate shipping companies decided, under protest, to establish the rotary system of employment of watereiders at the several ports where the matter is in dispute, pending Arbitration Court proceedings. POSITION IN ENGLAND TESTING LEGALITY OF REDUCTION. LONDON, September 10. Hundreds of sailors’ homes are affected by the decision of the Union Castle Company not to pay further allotments of wages to the wives and ; dependents of the sailors striking in South Africa. The wives hitherto have received 30s a week out of the men’s wages. Meanwhile the Marine Workers Union is initiating a test case to see I whether the companies can' legally re*

ducc the wages of men at sea who are already tiliilef articles. It alleges that a variation in wages during r ft voyage is contrary to the provisions of tho Mnrehnnt Shipping Act.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SOUTH AFRICA SEAMEN CONTINUE WORKING. CAPE TOWN, September 10. Threats that the seamen will stop work if their pay is stopped have so far not been fulfilled. The men are performing their ordinary duties. They state that although they regard tho stoppage of pay as illegal, they do not intend to put themselves in tho wrong by refusing to work.—Reuter. IN NEW ZEALAND ON BOARD, BUT IDLE. FURTHER PROSECUTION. CREWS DRIFTING BACK. [Puu United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 11. Eight deck hands belonging to the Benicia who appeared before the magistrate on Wednesday and wore ordered to return to their vessel have not done any work since they went on board. Consequently they will appear before the magistrate on Monday to answer a charge of continuous disobedience of orders, and combining with others to delay the vessel. The crews of the other vessels are gradually drifting back, and while they will work in port they are firm in refusal to take the ships to sea unless wages are restored to the previous basis.