NATIONAL PARALYSIS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 21 September 1925, Page 9

NATIONAL PARALYSIS

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIES.

EFFECT OF THE STRIKE.

DISASTER. AHEAD.

SY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIUGT. Received Sep. 21, 12.20 p.m, SYDNEY, feeip. 21. Mr. Seale, deputy president of the Oversells Shipping Kepreseniteutives Association, .in a statement says: “Australia is on the verge oi : national paralysis, a«s appalling as the result of a successful blockade by enemy, submar ines. This will be the direct effect not of the eon 11 ict between British shipowner,s and the seamen, but of one of a succession of blows aimed at the British Empire. lit was time the people of Australia -understood the truth in connection with the present shipping crisis and realised that a national, calamity was impending. Australia’s prosperity was bound up in the maintenance of her .oversea- trade; without transport her produce will he held up and paralysis would ensue, which must gravely affect every branch of industry and commerce in the Commonwealth. A wide and growing wave of stagnation and unemployment will sweep the whole country, and among those who will feel the catastrophe most keenly will be the primary producers.”.

After reviewing the circumstances leading to the reduction of the seamen’s wages and the agreement ultimately arrived at, w-heh was accepted by the delegates at a meeting representing the seventy-two branches of the Seamen’s Union and which was confirmed by the annual general meeting of the union, the statement continues:.“The present strike is a levolt against unionism. Oversea shipowners, who are standing firmly by the agreement, are actually fighting the battle of the British Union as well as protecting their oiwn interests. Despite statements made to the contrary, the owners have been ready at any time to meet the represntlatives of the British seamen on strike, but are not prepared to negotiate upon the matter, when it was decided by the union .and agreed to by fifty thousand seamen, and that our invitation t 6 the seamen is for them to rejoin their ships and state any grievances to the Board of Trade upon their arrival in London.

RECONNAISSANCE IN FORCE.

COMMUNIST OFFENSIVE,

Received Sep. 21, 2.30 p.m. LONDON, Sep. 20. Mr. F. E. Allen, chairman of the Shipping Federation, in a letter to the Press asks: “Do the public realise that the so-dal.led seamen’s strike is really a reconnaissance in force in connection wiltih a general communist offensive by direct action against the existing order of society? Do they understand the attempt to hold-up our maritime communications, which has failed in this country, but lias met with greater success in the colonies, is as dangerous a .character as was the bubmarine warfare directed against the mercantile maritime by enemies?”— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WORKING THE SHIPS

BUSINESS MEN TAKE ACTION,

(by TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Sep. 21. A meeting of Christchurch business men this morning discussed the question of getting delivery of goods now held up in English vessels. One merchant urged the Government should he asked to take action- so that the idle ships could be brought to the wharves and discharged. After a lengthy discussion in camera a committee was appointed to go into the matter.