SYDNEY SEAMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 October 1931, Page 5

SYDNEY SEAMEN

VOTE FOR GENERAL STRIKE COMMUNISTS TAKE CONTROL [BY CABLE —PBEBB ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] SYDNEY, October 29. At another mass meeting of the Sydney Seamen’s Union to-day, there was a motion sponsored by the militant faction calling on all _ the members employed on the interstate ships to cease work after twenty-four hours’ notice. The motion was carried and the notice is being given immediately. The decision involves every inter-State vessel, and it is believed include the Ul<maroa, the Niagara and the Aorangl-, and also other ships controlled by the Burns Philip Company. The moderate section fought the motion, but they were greatly outnumbered. To-day’s meeting was not nearly so disorderly as the previous two meetings owing to an understanding among the leaders of the various factions to restrain their followers from heckling and interrupting. .. . . - , ■

The shipowners received no response this afternoon when they called for crews for the Westralia, the Ormiston, the Macumba, and the Wear.

A report has been received from Adelaide that the seamen there will ignore the Sydney decision for a general strike, and accordingly will man all the' ships, excepting the Canberra. Fourteen vessels are already laid up in various ports.

The shipowners are considering the position at Melbourne to-day. A vital decision is expected shortly. N.Z. SHIPS INVOLVED. SYDNEY, October 29. The seamen’s decision extending the dispute to all ships on Australian articles, caused the greatest surprise, the general belief being that the moderates would be able to bring about its collapse. A special meeting is being held at the Communist Hall tomorrow, for appointing a new Strike Committee. It is now definitely stated the Ulimaroa, Niagara, and Aorangi will be brought within the scope of the strike. Late this afternoon, the shipowners sent an ultimatum to the General Secretary of the Seamen’s Union, insisting that crews be supplied by tomorrow, or otherwise the owners would take steps to obtain crews whenever possible.

UNIONS SUPPORT STRIKE SYDNEY, October 29. A thouand delegates from trades unions’ political and industrial wings, to-night, decided to support the seamen, by a general waterfront strike, providing pickets, and refusing to handle cargo, and reorganising the Workers’ Defence Corps, in order to combat the New Guard. PROTECTION OF VOLUNTEERS SYDNEY, October 29. The Inter-State steamship owners, having decided to call for volunteer crews, sent a telegram to thei p nme Minister, to-night, asking whether he would honour his undertaking to affoi d protection for those who respond. Advice received from Adelaide, to night, stated that union crews have been provided for the Karoola, also for the freighter G° ulbu ™- ?o Sydney is now practically confined to Sydney and Newcastle ports. BASHER GANGS FORMED. SYDNEY, October 30. The “Telegraph” says: Anticipating a call for volunteers to man the ships, the Communists, at a secret meeting, decided to recruit basher gangs for the purpose of intimidating prospective volunteers, either at the ship side, or on their return to Sydney. In a statement, Mr Moate, secretary of the Stewards’ Union, pointed out in the nine years Schelly (the cause of the dispute) has only been to sea for eleven days. Schelly is a deliberate wrecker, whose policy is one of destruction-” Last night’s Trades Hall meeting condemned Mr Lang as a friend of the shipowners and protector of the New Guard. The meeting represented all sections of the State Labour movement. All the resolutions carried were of a revolutionary nature. A great many delegates were wearing button badges celebrating the anniversary of the Russian revolution. Mr Lang was condemned for allowing the police to “baton and batter” the workers. MELBOURNE MEN WORKING(Recd. October 30, 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, October 30. The seamen have offered to work. Shipowners met the men half-way, by not inflicting penalties upon the seamen of the Goulburn, who deserted. The owners gave the men their jobs back, and paid the special permit fee, in addition. If the trouble continues, the Melbourne seamen threaten to form a break-away union and seek recognition by the Arbitration Court.