SHIPPING DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 August 1925, Page 5

SHIPPING DISPUTE

RIVAL ASSERTIONS,

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, August 27,

The Seamen’,s Union asserts that the strike hay collapsed.-The strikers officials, however, declare that a Strike Committee has been formed at Liverpool, where there are strong pickets operating. The steams it. Canoptic and Adriatic are held up. The strikers have also succeeded in stopping crews at Liverpool for th-1 steamers Albania and Minnewaska, which are delayed at London.

Several steamers, including the Otaki, have left London lor Liverpool, where the crews will refuse ro unload the vessels. The strikers are confident of holding out for a long time. They are receiving assistance from the stevedores, the dockers, and the lightermen. INTERFERENCE CONDEMNED. LONDON, August 28. The Seamens* Union has circularised various trade unions asking: “Will you join us in the following cablegram le the Secretary, Trades’ Hall, Melbourne?: —

“We strongly recommend you to advise men in British ships to return to work. The unofficial strike here is partial only. In London there is no -possibility of its extension. The shipowners will not go back' on the terms agreed with the British Union through the Maritime Board. The interference of Australian unions in tile British wages agreement is detrimental to the principle of the collective bargaining, and should not continue.” , ' Mr. Appleton, on behalf of the General Federation of Trade Unions, Mr. Wilkie, on behalf of the Shipwrights’ Union, and the President of the Transport Workers’ Federation, have already signified acquiescence. Similar replies from seiX'ral other unions are expected to-day. The American International Seamen’s Union (Chicago) senj: a similar cablegram to the Trades Hall, Melbourne, condemning Walsh’s action. COLLAPSE EXPECTED.

SYDNEY, August 28.

It is stated in Union circles tonight, on the best authority, that should the strike of the British seamen approach the point that indicated it might collapse, aill Interstate steamers would be stopped. The Australian seamen’s purpose in adopting such drastic action is said to bo their determination to bring pressure upon wharf labourers whose attitude has been so far non-committal.

MR WALSH’S REPLY'

SYDNEY, August 29.

The outlook for an early settlement of the strike continues to improve. The steamer Norfolk, manned by an entire white crew, left Fremantle for the United Kingdom. The crew of the Somerset at Townsville has not so far come out. In Sydney, additional men are returning to their ships, but the shipping agents are maintaining silence concerning this development, in order that their exact strength ■ may not bo ascertained. On some vessels, the complement is being built up slowly. During the next few days it is expected that some vessels will sail. Owing Io the hold-up of the British ships, the Australian Commonwealth Line decided to re-commission the cargo steamer Cooec immediately, to serve the Sydney wool sales, which will com meiice on Monday. If the strike continues into next week, it is likely that the Delungra will also be commissioned. The Cooee will provide employment for an Australian crew of 70. 'Fhe Didungra will take about fortyfive. • At fhe fourth mass meeting of the British seamen, Mr Walsh, referring to recent statements, said that there would be no Necessity to provide a fund for a .jaunt round the world for him (Walsh)' in order to show Havelock Wilson what could be done. He declined to go to England for that purnose, and said : “Wilson is the greatest industrial failure in the history ol the working class. Since 1919 he has made no effort to stop the downward trend of their wages and conditions. Ayitli such an organisation as the British Seamen’s Union, it was a standing disgrace that men have to light 12,000 miles from the centre of the Empire against a. reduction in wages. He vould only accept the position, if so desired,, of President of the British Seamen, on condition that he appointed the whole of the officers, otherwise thev would still be betrayed.

The Secretary of the British Seamen’s organisation (Mr Lyddal) denied that there was discontent among the men, and that the men were going back to the ships. Only two men had gone back. The Crania strikers weie oeing provided with three meals a day. He stated that the cost was between £BOO and £lOOO a week.

TRADES HALL QUITS. MELBOURNE, August 23. The Chitral has arrived, and is being worked by watersiders. Mr Holloway (Secretary of the Trades Hall Council) stated that the shipping dispute is now entirely m the hands of the British seamen themselves, and that the Trades Hal Disputes Committee is not in charge of it in any way. WELLINGTON DEVELOPMENTS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 28. The men on the Tainui and the Leitrim have now left their respective vessel'-'. The mling of. both -teamers Fas been definitely postponed. The vessels will be moved

into the stream to-morrow, when they will join the Arawa. Regarding the Turakina, this ship ft not ready to sail, but it is believed that when the time of departure arrives, the men will also leave this steamer. Regarding the steamer Athol, which Is also in port, no trouble is anticipated with the crew, as are Chinese. Locally, the position is regarded .as serious, hut neither side will vouchsafe any information as to what will .be the next move.