AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 May 1936, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN

“VOLUNTEERS” POISONED

ARSENIC IN SOUP

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

(Received May 28, 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 27

Police are investigating the poisoning by arsenic of five volunteer seamen on the Tasmanian steamer Nairana. on May 15, all of whom have now recovered. Senator Brennan, acting Attorney General, made this statement on replying to a deputation from the Australian Council of Trades Unions, which complained that the Nairana left port undermanned on that date. Mr Brennan pointed out that several of the volunteer crew became ill after partaking of soup aboard, and were removed to the hospital. A subsequent analysis of the soup revealed the presence of arsenic. Mr Brennan added that the master of the Nairana attempted to obtain substitutes for the sick men, but was unsuccessful. He sailed with more than four-fifths of the crew as permitted by the Navigation Act in cases of emergency. Mr Brennan told the deputation there was no hope of the licensing of seamen being lifted.

STRIKE-LEADER REJECTED

SYDNEY. May 27

Members of the Seamen’s Union, at a mass meeting, passed a resolution of “no confidence” in the General Secretary. Mr. .1. Keenan, who led the recent shipping strike, and called upon him to resign. The resolution expressed the opinion that his presence in Melbourne, where he tried to reorganise the members and to prevent the registration of a Volunteer Seamen’s Union, “was more of a hindrance than an asset to our Union.” The former General Secretary, Jacob Johnson, was present. He told the meeting that he had definite information that, without Mr. Keenan, at least 75 per cent, of the seamen could look forward to better treatment from the shipowners. REFUSAL TO RESIGN. (Received May 28, 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 27. Keenan, who is in Melbourne, declared that he intended to ignore the Sydney Union’s decision calling on him to resign, as the meeting was not representative.