BREAKING THE STRIKE

Evening Star, Issue 22233, 10 January 1936, Page 7

BREAKING THE STRIKE

MANY VOLUNTEER SEAMEN EARLY COLLAPSE PREDICTED Press Association — By Telegraph Copyright MELBOURNE, January 9. There are signs at Melbourne of a complete collapse of the shipping strike. More than 20 unionist seamen applied for licenses and work at shipping offices to-day. Nineteen unionists who had handed in notices on the steamer Weeroona have withdrawn them. The owners throughout Australia have now manned 67 ships with 1,800 volunteers. TWO STEAMERS MANNED POSITIONS FILLED BY POST. SYDNEY, January 9. Since Mr Menzies made it possible for seamen’s licenses to‘be obtained by post more than 60 applications have been made. It was stated to-day that crews for at least two more steamers .would be available almost immediately. Mr Jacob Johnson, the general secretary, who was, “ recalled ” recently by a general meeting of seamen, but who maintains that he is'' still the legally-elected official, states: “ The miners have determined in no uncertain manner that they will have nothing to do with an extension of the strike. They demonstrated that they are not as easily led in certain circumstances as the seamen.” 1 ONE COLLIERY CEASES WORK i, ; ■ MANNING BY LICENSED SEAMEN. SYDNEY, January 10. (Received January 10, at 11.20 a.m.) An unexpected development in the strike occurred when the miners at Wallarah colliery, Catherine Hill Bay, ceased work because the coal which they handled was to be loaded on a ship manned by licensed seamen. The crews of five interstate freighters have joined the strikers. One of the vessels manned by a licensed crew sailed from Sydney last night. The owners will attempt similar action with others to-day. - » LABOUR REFUSED NGAKUTA [Pis United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 10. Because she was manned by a crew of “ volunteers,” replacing striking Australian seamen, no members of the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union responded to the call for men to discharge the Union Company’s chartered steamer Ngakuta, which arrived from Sydney this morning. Similar action was taken by the watersiders when the Aorangi, also manned by a volunteer crew, called at Auckland this week. As was done with the Aorangi, the Ngakuta was unloaded by the company’s permanent employees. The whaif was blocked hy barriers, and three constables'-were in attendance, but there was no demonstration.