SHIPPING TROUBLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 29 August 1925, Page 9

SHIPPING TROUBLE.

PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT

MEN RETURNING TO WORK

MR WALSH AND THE' BRITISH UNION.

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

Received Aug. 29, 11.45 a.m. Sydney, Aug. 29. The outlook for an early settlement of the strike continues to improve. The steamer Norfolk, manned by ian entirely white crew, has left Fremantle tor the. United Kingdom. The crew or the Somerset, at Townsville, has not so far come out. In Sydney more men are returning to their ships, blit the shipping agents are maintaining .silence- concerning this development in order that their exact strength may not be ascertained. On some vessels the complement is being built up slowly. During the next few clays it is expected that some vessels will sail Owing to the hold-up of the British ships, the Australian Commonwealth Line decided to recommission its cargo steamer Looee immediately, to serve the Sydney wool sale, which will commence on Monday. If the strike continues into next week it is likely that the Delungra will also be commissioned. The Cooe© will provide employment for an Australian, crew of seventy and the Delungra will take about forty-five. At the fourth mass meeting of British seamen, Mr. Walsh, referring to recent statements, said that there would be no necessity to provide funds for a jaunt round the world for him (Mr. Walsh), ii/ order to show Mr. Havelock Wilson what could be done. He declined to go to England for that purpose and said: "Mr. Wilson is the greatest industrial failure in the history of the working class since i 919. He made no effort to stop the downward trend of tlieir wages and conditions, and with such an organisation as the. British Seamen’s Union it is a standing disgrace that men have to fi<dit twelve thousand miles from the centre of the Empire against a reduction of wages.” He would only accept the position, if he desired it, of the president of the British seamtsn on (the (condition that appointed the whole of the officers, otherwise they would still be betrayed. The secretary of the British Seamen’s organisation, Mr. Lyd'dal, denied that there was discontent among men and said that they were going back to their ships, whereas only two men had gone back. The draina strikers were being provided with three meals per day, and it is stated the cost is between £I.OOO per week. SKIPS IDLE AT GAPE TOWN. GAPE TOWN, Aug. 28. The crews of the Ballarat and Arundel Castle- have agreed that the crews keep watches and do necessary work aboard while the disputes llalst. Neither vessel will he -allowed -to sail till two men of the Sandg-ate Castile arrested at Durban- are released, and a, guarantee given that there will be no vic-tiimiiis-atio'n and that the present rate of p-ay will remain in operation till the ships reached their home port-s. A COWARDLY ACT. LIFEBOAT FALLS CUT. Reecived August 29, 2.10 p.m. ADELAIDE, Aug. 29.

It was discovered that the falls had been cut on several lifeboats of the Peninsular liner Balranald, in the outei harbour, the crew of which is striking. The master* in offering, rewards for the apprehension of the culprit, characterised the act as a particularly cowardly one, endangering the lives ,of some 700 passengers, including 150 children. A number of seamen, after expressing indignation, turned-to and voluntarily restored the falls to perfect condition. WELLINGTON SHIPPING TROUBLE BOTH SIDES DETERMINED. WELLINGTON, Aug. 29. There is no change in the position regarding overseas vessels in port here. The Tainui joined the other vessels in the stream this afternoon. So fax the New Zealand Shipping Co.’s Turakina i„ not affected, but developments may occur on Tuesday next when she is timed to sail for Napier. , . The opinion is he 1 cl in shipping circles that the trouble has now reached a deadlock. Bcjth sides seem determined. TWO VESSELS HELD UP AT NEW PLYMOUTH. NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. 29. Th e seamen on the steamer Dorset went on strike this morning. There is nothing fresh to report re the Port Dunedin, which is still held up. The Phvsa arrived at 8 a.m. from Napier and is lying’ in the stream unable to find a berth. The Gabriella sailed for Wanganui last night.