KATOOMBA HOLD-UP

Evening Star, Issue 25698, 23 January 1946, Page 10

KATOOMBA HOLD-UP

WATERSIDERS SUPPORT FIREMEN PASSENGERS TO REMAIN ON BOARD SYDNEY, January 22. The dispute concerning the New Zealand relief liner Katoomba has not been solved by the announcement that the ship will not now sail for New Zealand. This morning a mass meeting of 250 wharf labourers alongside the ship decided not to handle any cargo or passengers' luggage until a substitute ship to take the passengers to New Zealand is berthed alongside the Katoomba. The firemen said that no steam would be supplied to unload anything until 24 firemen had been signed on. The wharf labourers' reason for their action is that they consider the Federal Government should grant the firemen's demand, so ending the terrible conditions under which the passengers were living on the ship. They said that they were afraid that, if the baggage were unloaded, the passengers would be told to find accommodation ashore when there was none available.

The State secretary of the Seamen's Union, Mr B. Smith, told a meeting to-day that he had received a promise from the Director of Shipping, Mr that all the passengers would be allowed to remain on boafrd at the Government's expense until a relief ship had been provided. The assurance was given by telephone.

The Katoomba's stewards have decided to continue to look after the passengers until another ship is made available. A passengers' protest committee, comprising Messrs B. 11. Judd, G. Harding, and W. H. Lean, and Mesdames H. B. Sirman and J. Butler, has sent a cable message to the Acting Prime Minister of New Zealand', Mr Nash, asking him to take action on their behalf.