SHIPPING STRIKE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 December 1935, Page 5

SHIPPING STRIKE.

LOOKING- FOR BASIS OF PEACE. ATTEMPT TO HOLD UP WAIRUNA Received Thursday, ,10.20 p.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 12. One development in the strike position to-day was the arrival in Sydney from Melbourne of Messrs. C. Crofts and A. Monk, officials of the Australian Trades Union Council, to confer with the local Trades Hall delegates with the object of trying to find a basis of peace in the shipping industry for submission to the central strike committee. It is also reported that steps will probably be taken to test the validity of the regulations applying the licensing provision of the Transport Workers’ Act to seamen. An attempt is being made to hold up the Union Company’s Wairuna which is scheduled to sail from Sydney to-morrow for San Francisco. A fireman is reported missing and the Seamen’s Union is not allowing any member to fill the vacancy. The Wairuna may bo the first oversea vessel to become involved. Brisbane volunteer crews have been provided for five freighters. Crews for Three More Vessels HUNDREDS OF SEAMEN LOSE EMPLOYMENT Received Friday, 2 a.m. MELBOURNE, Dec. 12.

About 400 licenses were issued to seamen, firemen and others today. Three cargo vessels, the Koolnda, Kowhai and Goulburn, are ready to sail for inter-State ports with, volunteer crews. SYDNEY, Dec. 12. The manager of the Union Company, Mr Soutar, says he has no knowledge of any trouble on the Wairuna, Probably the Communist element is circulating mischievous rumours. The conference of the Australian Trades Union Council officials with the local delegates, also the strike committee of the seamen, reached no decision to-night and is continuing the talks to-morrow. The shipowners estimate that 500 strikers have already permanently lost their former employment as a result of the licensing system.