BRITISH SEAMEN’S UNION OPPOSES STRIKE PROPOSAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 October 1947, Page 7

BRITISH SEAMEN’S UNION OPPOSES STRIKE PROPOSAL

(Rec. 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, October 22. The executive of the British National Union of Seamen today sent cablegrams to the executive officers of the Australian and .New Zealand Seamen’s Unions, stating that the British union executive givQS.no support to the propsed strike by an organisation styling itself the Merseyside Rank and File Seamen’s Committee, which has been seeking Australian’ and New Zealand support. . . .’ ' The Merseyside committee had cabled Mr F. P. Walsh, general president of the New Zealand Seamen’s Union, asking for the support of British, Australian and New Zealand seamen. Mr Walsh cabled the'British Union of Seamen executive, asking whether "the strike had its endorsement. Mr Walsh added that a holdup of British ships in New Zealand would seriously affect the Aid-to-Britain campaign. The British Union of Seamen’s acting general secretary, Mr Tom Yates, replied that the Merseyside committee represented a few disgruntled seamen. Their movement was entirely unofficial and had not the executive’s endorsement.. Mr Yates suggested that the widest publicity be given to his cablegram. He asked all seamen to carry on because the shipment of food stuffs was essential and seamen’s solidarity was vital. ' ' The Merseyside Rank ana File Seamen’s Committee is seeking to alter the system of engagement to replace the present system where seamen register at a central office and put their names down for a particular ship. .