NO SETTLEMENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 28 August 1925, Page 5

NO SETTLEMENT

STRIKE IN NEW ZEALAND

BOTH SIDES FIRM

NO EFFORTS AT CONCILIATION

(BX TELEGKAI* II PICKS S ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 27. Tliere appears to be no sign of a settlement of the seamen’s strike on the British steamers at Auckland, although the trouble has not extended to vessels other than those already affected.

The steamer Kent, which has been unloading cargo from Liverpool, is now definitely laid up in the stream owing to the lack of a crew.

Both sides in the dispute maintain a firm and uncompromising attitude, and statements issued by both parties to-day indicate that no efforts have been mad e in the direction of concilia, tion, Representatives in Auckland of the overseas shipping companies received a cablegram from the owners in England yesterday on lines of that re. oeived in Australia. A meeting of about 100 British seamen was held to-night-, when consideration was given to a cablegram received from Air. Havelock Wilson, president of the National Seamen and Firemen’s Union of Great Britain and Ireland, strongly advising the crews to carry on their duties and ftdfil the agreement. Any grievances could be settled on their return by the National Alaritime Board.

After discussion the meeting carried the following resolution: "We members of the crews of British ships in the port of Auckland emphatically repudiate Mr. Havelock Wilson and his traitorous betrayal. We further resolve not to recognise him as our leader, and to carry on our struggle for a living wage, namely, that- no ships will be manned until we get an agreement that our wages will not be reduced.” The attitude of the men was exemplified in the afternoon in the case of the Kent, which was timed to sail at noon for Wellington. The crew walked ashore, with the result that the vessel was sent to an anchorage in. the stream. . An unexpected 1 change in tlie position is the decision of tiie Arab firemen on the Benicia to join the ranks of the strikers again. These men went out when the trouble originally started, but returned to duty on Wednesday morning. Since then they have again changed their minds and refused to take orders. Three new overseas steamers to arrive at Auckland have not been affected by the dispute. They are the Alaimyo, the West Nivaria, and the Erviken. The Alaiinyo is the only vessel of the three of which the crews are engaged on. British articles, but with the exception of 17 European officers the crew, numbering 73, is composed entirely of Lascars. The ’West Nivaria is an American boat, and the Erviken a Norwegian.

AIEN OUT AT THE BLUFF

INVERCARGILL, Aug. 27

Twenty-five men out of a crew of forty of tlie Willaston at Bluff have refused duty and are demanding the wages of July last. The vessel is accordingly held up. Fifteen men who signed on under New Zealand articles remain on duty. The strikers’ funds are running low, and in anticipation of trouble the Bluff police force has been strengthened.

UNAUTHORISED AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL. WELLINGTON, Aug. 27. Speaking on behalf of the shipowners’ representatives to-night, Air. J. Findlay stated that the British shipowners will not recede from the stand they have taken up in regard to tlie demand of the strikers. Not only is the strike unauthorised, but it is also unconstitutional and is a distinct breach of a definite agreement made- by the accredited representatives of the seamen and the shipowners. “The agreement in regard to wages was leached by the Alaritime Board,” continued Air.' Findlay, “which is a body comprising equal representation on the part of the seamen and the shipowners. The findings of the Maritime Board have for the last few years resulted in harmonious relations between the shipowners and the seamen, thus enabling the trade of the Empire to be carried on in :yi efficient manner. British trade supremacy being dependent on the co-ooeration of all classes, it is generally recognised at the present juncture that any interference with our transport, must inevitably react to the detriment of all classes' of the community, botli at Home and i n the Dominion.”