STRIKE AFTERMATH

Evening Star, Issue 19127, 19 December 1925, Page 3

STRIKE AFTERMATH

REPATRIATION OF FIREMEN. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 17. The Shaw, Savill Company has written to Sir Joseph Cook denying that the captain or agents of the Otira gave either a written or a verbal promise to provide the Australian firemen with a return passage or employment, and repudiating any further responsibility. Sir Joseph Cook may seek authority from the Commonwealth to repatriate the men.—A. and N.Z. Cable. MR HAVELOCK AVIUSON’S APPEAL. FUNDS FOR STRIKE VICTIMS. LONDON. December 18. (Received December 19, at 9.1 d a.m.) Mr Havelock Wilson is cabling an appeal to the Australian newspapers to open a Christmas fund on behalf of .'I,OOO wmmen and children, victims of t-jm strike, who are. hungry and without clothes, in British ports. Mr Wilson’s union has already spent £.‘1,000, and is prepared to spend another £3,000. Mr Wilson says that he possesses ample evidence that 7o per cent-, of the strikers left their ships through intimidation. He recognises that Australia is hard hit by the strike, but hopes that she will remember that the British seamen stood by the Empire when it was in dim distress. Mr AVilson has also cabled to Mr Walsh describing the distress, and adding: “This is the result, of the late seamen’s official strike, for which you and others are directly responsible. The Seamen’s Union is prepared to give £3,000 lo the _women and children if you cabin a similar amount. These poor people cannot be left to starve over Christmas. Cable your £.‘1,000 to the secretary of the Trades Union Congress, who will geo to its distribution. It is better to spend the money on this than on litigation. If you "fail you will have to meet these women and children on your arrival in this country.’’—A. and N.Z. Cable.