POSITION IMPROVING

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 28 October 1925, Page 11

POSITION IMPROVING

STRIKE IN SYDNEY.

END NOT IN SIGHT. ' •* VESSELS , OBTAINING CREWS. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRHIGT. Received Oct., 28, 12.5 p.m. SXDNEi, Oct. 28. Although there is no sign or the ending oi the strike, the position in Sydney is steadily improving and shipowners are steadily regaining sumcient command of tiie situation to Uespatci) vessels. niglrt tiio steamer dinstiansbourg sailed for the South oeas manned oy a fuil crew. Watersideis continue to work all vessels.

COAL FOR MAHIA

TEST POSTPONED

APPEAL TO FARMERS

Received Oct. 28, 12.5 p.m. BRISBANE, Oct. 28. During a conference between the waterside Workers, seamen, and shipping companies’ representatives, at Gladstone, Captain Williams, of the steamer Mahia, said that the Strike Cdmmittee had broken its promises respecting the coaling of the vessel. He Had delayed coaiing until Wednesday, but did not think the fanners could be put off any longer. Coal was available, and the farmers had been promised ample police protection. The matter was then allowed to stand over' until Wednesday night, after the strikers had agreed to withdraw pickets. . Farmers of thd district will be circularised. urging that every loyal citizen should assist to protect the voluntary workers at Gladstone to load coal. It is understood that, .if necessary, a number of farmers, varying from 250 to 100 G, will go to Gladstone.

STRIKERS.’ ATTITUDE UNCERTAIN The attitude of the- Strike Committoe towards [British vessels with coloured crews appears to be undecided, and there is no indication-whether the committee intends to enforce the decision of the strikers that all British ships entering Brisbane should be declared “black.” Lt has been" disclosed that the crews of tugs state that they will refuse to handle any ship on which the embargo is placed.

LOSS OF WORK. WATERSIDERS AT FREMANTLE. Received Oct. 28,. 12.5 p.m. PERTH, Oct. 28. . As a result of the seamen’s strike and the embargo placed on Fremaiitle by the owners, less than fifty per centof the watersiders there are. working, and those working are averaging only 50s per week in wages. FREE LABOUR SHIP. Received Oct. 28, 12.5 p.m. MELBOURNE, Oct. 28. The steamer Sophocles has sailed for Sydney. Her crew, which was engaged in South Africa, is composed of sons of farmers. It is expected that when the ship reaches Sydney - she will -be held up, as the crew only signed on for the voyage out. COLLIER DIVERTED. COAL FOR WAITING SHIPS. Received Oct. 28, 1 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 28. Owing to the steps taken quietly in Ss'dney more than a week ago by the shipowners, perishable cargo on more than one steamer held up in North Queensland will be preserved. Ihe collier Corrimal cleared several days ago for New Caledonia with a full cargo of coal, hut on leaving Sydney sailed north. She will coal the steamer Paparoa off Townsville, and then return to coal tlio steamer TPOrt Hardy off Bowen. STRIKERS FAILING. MELBOURNE INDICATIONS. Received Oct. 28, 12.50 p.m. MELBOURNE, Oct. 28. The Oronsay and Diogenes have sailed, manned with full chews. The indications support those previously given that the strikers are failing. ATTACK ON STEAMER. STRIKERS TRY TO DAMAGE IT. Received Ocf. 28, 1 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 28. Details have been received of an attack on "the steamer Somerset at Townsville by the strikers, who endeavoured for two days to damage the vessel seriously. When an attempt was made to get the vessel from the l wharf, the pilot and tqg hands refused to handle her. A large number of strikers then attacked the ship and bombarded her with lumps of coal. They also threatened to burn the vessel. Later a party of strikers in a rowing boat attempted to disable the ship’s propellers and rudder, but were prevented by the arrival of the police.

TUG HANDS FORESTALLED. (Receiv/d Oct. 28, 12.50 p.m.) BRISBANE, Oct. 28. The threat of the tug hands not to handle “black” ships was forestalled when three British vessels berthed at Pinkenba wharf instead of proceedingup river. These vessels will thus he enabled to leave port without the aid of tugs.. • / STONES TOR POLICE. STRIKERS DISPERSED. Received Oct. 28, 1 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 28. Following on the arrest of a strikers’ picket for stoning; two seamen who were returning to their ship late at night, the police were stoned by other pickets. Subsequently over three hundred strikers assembled and marched to Circular Quay. All the police in the city area were hurried to. the scene in motor-cars. They met and dispersed the strikers, five arrests being made. ANOTHER, SHIP AFFECTED. (BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 23. The Hain liner Trefusis, which arrived from New York on October 15, completed discharge of the Auckland cargo to-day and is about to proceed to Wellington and Dunedin, but it is understood a section of the crew is refusing duty, and voluntary labour will- be engaged.