THE STRIKE

Evening Star, Issue 19078, 22 October 1925, Page 5

THE STRIKE

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA SYDNEY SEAMEN’S UNION SQUABBLE BETWEEN LEADERS. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. SYDNEY, October 21. A meeting of members of the Seamen’s Union resolved to continue unqualified support of tho striking British seamen. Ways and means of assisting the strikers in holding out were considered, but a final agreement was not reached, and tho meeting adjourned till to-morrow. Two strikers were to-day sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment. ANOTHER VERSION. SYDNEY, October 21. (Received October 22, at 1.30 a.m.) Another version of tho Seamen’s Union meeting, which, was held in camera, indicates that it chiefly iosolvod itself into a squabble between Walsh and Johnson, the latter attacking Walsh for advising the men to arbitration; that the meeting carried a resolution of confidence in Walsh; and that tho question of continuing support to the British seamen was postponed till to-morrow. No resolution ou tliiitj point wjis cniiicd. STATEMENTS CONFIRMED. SYDNEY, October 22. (Received October 22, at 10.5 a.m.) Tim Sydney ‘ Morning Herald ’ confirms the squabble in the Australian Seamen’s Union. The meeting was held in response to a requisition by a number of members led by Johnson, who submitted a resolution demanding that the British seamen should ho asked to refrain from submitting their claims to the Arbitration Court. The motion also deplored the action of Walsh in advising the men to go to the court, and made a threat that the Australian seamen would withdraw all support from tho strikers if the latter continued to resort to arbitration. After a lengthy and heated debate tho motion was overwhelmingly defeated, and the meeting decided to continue to support the strikers. AIR LANG'S ALLEGATION. SYDNEY, October 21. In the Assembly Mr J. T. Lang, replying to questions as to whether or not tho Government was prepared to take any steps to end the strike, said it was purely a Federal matter. _Mr Bruce was responsible for the position that no efforts had been made to settle tlie strike. Ho was the only man who had given tho industrial upheaval Iris benediction, because it suited him for political purposes.

THE BURKE LINE,

SHIPS DECLARED BLACK

BRISBANE, October 22. (Received October 22, at 10 a.m.)

When tho crew of tho steamer Palmer,,. belonging to John Burke, Ltd., learned that the ship was loaded with coal for the refrigerating plant on the steamer Port Hardy, wdiich is anchored in Whit Sunday Passage, they refused to take the ship to sea, and a non-union crew was obtained. Tho Seamen’s Union thereupon declared all tho Burke Lino vessels black. BRITISH SHIPS “ BLACK.” BRISBANE STRIKERS’ DECISION. BRISBANE, October 22. (Received October 22, at 10.30 a.m.) The Strike Committee has declared all British ships in Brisbane “ black,” and decided that they will not he permitted to he supplied with coal. The fanners throughout the Stale are offering to man the ships should the owners call for volunteers. FIREMEN REPUDIATE AGREEMENT. BRISBANE, October 22.. (Received October 22, at 10.5 a.m.) The firemen on the steamer Barrahool repudiated the agreement with the owners and refused to continue to maintain the refrigerating plant in action. Tho engineers and officers have taken over their duties in order to keep tho plant working. VOLUNTEERS TO BE CALLED FOR. MELBOURNE, October 22. (Received October 22, at 10.5 a.m.) The Oversea shipping representatives have decided to advertise for volunteer labor to work the idle ships. CERAMIC’S FIREMEN JOIN STRIKERS. MELBOURNE, October 22. (Received October 22, at 10.5 a.m.) The firemen ou the steamer Ceramic have joined tho strikers. JOBS ASHORE. WESTMORELAND’S CREW LEAVES. ADELAIDE, October 22. (Received October 22, at 10.30 a.m.) Many striking seamen are registerng at the Government Labor Bureau for employment ashore. The crew of the steamer Westmoreland has joined the strikers.

JACK AND JILL WENT UP THE HILL To*fetch a bucket of water. Jack kept to his feet, for he thought of the treat of “Price’s” to follow after. AH kiddies love that delicious cordial made with Price's Concentrated Beverages. Try flavored orange kola and flavored limes. They are out on their own. Ts 6d bottle makes 3 gallons. All grocers sell it. Ss6 that you g(t “ Price's.’ t— {Ad vt.j , . ■ •• _

IN NEW ZEALAND SITUATION AT AUCKLAND. [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, October 21. Tho overseas steamer Tainni sailed this evening for Opua._ She is manned by some of her original crew and nearly fifty volunteer seamen. Some of tho crew left tho ship at Wellington, and tho others, who refused duty this morning, wore sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. The Tainni at present has more than her complement for a cargo steamer of ( her size. When taking passengers she carries a larger number of stewards, and her complement then is about 120 all told. Before she sails finally for London a sufficient number of stewards will ho signed on to replace those left behind in Now Zealand. Thirteen British steamers have been delayed in Auckland for varying periods since the seamen's strike extended to tho port on August 25. Of this number, twelve have sailed. The only one still delayed in port is tho Zinal, and she is expected to sail at an early date. Tho only other British vessel in port is the Tro’fusis, which is now discharging cargo from New York. Cargo operations will he completed on Friday or Saturday, when the ship is to_ sail for southern ports to complete discharge. It is not expected .she will bo delayed by the strike.

UNION SECRETARY CHARGED. DECISION RESERVED. [Per United Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, October 21. A case which created considerable interest came before Air Poynton, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when Robert Fulton, secretary of the Now Plymouth Waterside Workers’ Union, was charged under the Police Offences Amendment Act, 1913, that on September 28, 1925, with a view to Richard Henry Simpson to ohstain from working _at tho Motnroa wharf in connection with the loading and unloading of ships, ho did wrongfully and without authority intimidate tho said Richard Henry Simpson by addressing to him, inter alia, the'following words:—“You are a scab, scabbing on the seamen, and you have been doing it for a month now. The best thing you can do is to get out of tho town for a few years until it lias blown over. If over you do get on hoard again you stand a big chance of never getting off again. Defendant pleaded “not guilty.” In opening the case the ponce saul tho facts were simple but serious. An arrangement had been made to get the Port Dunedin away from tho wharf, and Simpson had gone on hoard under the instruction of tho harbor master s assistant, and was working a winch for tho purpose of lotting tho linos go. When ho returned to the wharf ho was met by Fulton and called before a committee of the union. It was at tho meeting that the words complained of had been used. Tho police added that the circumstances were not those in which a. thing had been done on the spur of the moment, or in any heat, but calmly and deliberately with the intention of intimidating the man for working at the wharf. The prosecution then proceeded to call evidence, and alter tins and the defence had boon hoard, tho magistrate said the case ivas one of great importance to unionists, and he would take timo_ to consider it, and would give a written decision. , Counsel for tho defendant oiled authorities in submitting that in order to establish there had to he proof of personal violence,_ or a throat of personal violence, which was entirelv absent in the present case., and contended that the charge should therefore he dismissed. The most that could be said in this case was that Simpson line! boon warned to koop out of tho way of the seamen. The magistrate reserved his decision.

SENTENCES PASSED

[Per United Press Association.] NEW. PLYMOUTH, October 21. Sentences of fourteen days’ imprisonment wore passed on forty members of the crew of the Federal steamer Dorset by Air Poynton,_ S_.AU, to-day, IfolloAvfng" on the conviction of the men off charges of having combined to impede the progress of the vcsseL One man, a German, who shipped at Colon, was ordered to bo returned to the vessel as a prohibited immigrant. On the charges of continued willul disobedience of lawful commands the men were convicted and discharged. The Dorset has already sailed from here with a volunteer crew. MAORI FIREMEN GOOD WORK ON MATAKANA. For the first time in the history of the dominion a hand of Maori stokers has practically fired an ocean-going liner, and from present indications it would appear that they are there to stay (states the ‘ Dominion ’). The vessel in question is the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s Matakana (Captain H. J. Thurston), which left Auckland at 1 o’clock on Thursday afternoon and reached Wellington at 9.30 on Saturday morning, tho time occupied being a little over forty-four hours, which is ahead of the Athenic’s time. Of a firemen and trimmers’ team of twenty-four no less than fourteen were Maoris. The Natives took to the work with the utmost enthusiasm, and simply revelled in the heat. Seven of the Ala oris hail from Orakei, two from Heleusville, and the remaining live from other Auckland centres. Four of the Orakei contingent constituted one watch, and they simply made the coal fly. Not only" was there peace, but harmony in the “Glory Hole,” as tho Afaoris took their musical instruments dmvn with them, and when the maximum amount or steam was rung up they found time to hare orchestral concerts.

The Natives are quite elated at the prospect of a trip to London, and there is every chance of their wish being gratified, as they are proving themselves first-class firemen. The officers of the Matakana are greatly impressed with the willingness and capabilities of the Alaoris, and are of opinion that with a little tutoring they will more than fill the bill. The Alatakana will leave Wellington on Thursday or Friday next for Lyttelton and Dunedin to complete discharging her London cargo, and it is not unlikely that she may make Auckland her final port of departure.