BRITISH SHIPS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 22 August 1925, Page 5

BRITISH SHIPS

UNABLE TO SAIL

CREWS REFUSE DUTY.

FOREIGNERS BENEFITTTNG

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT

(Received Aug. 22, 10.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 22,

Intending passengers by the steamer Tlimistocles for London,, which was due to sail yesterday, were forced to come ashore, owing to the absence of cooks and stewards. The officers had to provide their own meals. The passengers were told that the vessel might sail to-day. When. the. crew of the Port Darwin refused duty, the vessel was taken into the stream, but could not sail.

Wessels manned by coloured crews are not so far affected. Four steamers, including the Rinmtaka, which recently arrived from New Zealand, are involved at Brisbane, and at Port Adelaide three vessels are affected, including the Inkurn, the crew of which is demanding Australian rates. An important aspect of the dispute is that British lines ar© being penalised, while foreign lines are enabled to secure cargo and are offering-to sail at will. German, Dutch., Norwegian and Italian ships are sailing to-day, while British ships are unable to lift th© cargo booked for them. The Commonwealth line is not affected.

FIFTY SHIPS ALREADY AFFECTED

SYDNEY, Aug. 21

The meeting of seamen, firemen, and stewards on British shipis at- present, at Sydney, which decided to cease work until the piound per month recently taken off their wages had been restored, carried a further resolution that the meeting repudiated the agree, nient entered into in Britain by Mr. Havelock Wilson and the union, and that the men be empowered to elect their representatives and re-establish the union on a firm basis when they reached England. Mr. Walsli promised full support from the local union. Though the trouble lias not yet spread to Melbourne, th© seamen on three British steamers at Brisbane have given notice that they will not take their ships to sea. The men are remaining on board. Other British ships arriving at Brisbane will be treated similarly. The decision in both cities came as a complete surprise to the owners. At present there are 50 British ships in Australian ports, and about 140 on the way to- Australia or due to sail for the Commonwealth within the next six weeks, but it is believed the mail service will not be affected. Wool shipments, however, are threatened with severe interruption if the hold-up is prolonged. The overseas shipping representatives met and discussed, the situation arising out of the men’s refusal to man the ships. The proceedings wer© held in camera and the result cabled to London for instructions.