THE SEAMEN’S STRIKE.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XLV, Issue 75, 15 September 1925, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE SEAMEN’S STRIKE.

: AN UGLY SITUATION. SYDNEY. September 1 i. , A serious dash between strikers and police, the first since the strike began, - occurred at the Central Railway Sta- < tion. The police had planned to raid the - strikers while they were at the railway refreshment room, where the Union had - arranged that they should be supplied . with meals. While the strikers were i awaiting to enter the diningroom, a detective suddenly rushed at a man, who fled along the platform. Another detec- ' tive joined in the chase, and the strikers charged after the detectives, shouting “Come on all! We will get him out Over one hundred strikers raced along the platform, dozens more just arriving joining in. By the time the mass of the strikers had arrived at the road near the station, the detectives had captured the man. The crowd then charged, knocking' the detectives down ami brutally strik- • ing them. A violent struggle followed. When a uniformed policeman arrived he ■ drew his revolver and ordered the crowd to stand back. The detectives, although ' severely mauled, took their man to the station, while the remainder wore held 1 in check by the constable’s revolver. 1 After the afternoon’s sensational ar- 1 | rest, the police kept a sharp eye on the 1 railway refreshment room, but there ’ were no further arrests. 1 A large party of strikers hurriedly i left the railway station with the object, 1 they stated, of dealing with the ship’s ■ officer who had identified some of the strikers, resulting in their arrest. The gang failed to find its prey, ami it ’’ quietly passed large bodies of police, 1 now assembled in the vicinity. The strikers were apparently devoid of all fighting spirit. Various points about the harbour, where men may attempt Io pul off to idle ships, are-now strongly picketed, the strikers apparently anticipating defections in their ranks. A meeting of strikers reaffirmed the decision not to assist the police in any

Many seamen an' walking the city, armed with collection boxes, but so far the public are not responding. The Commonwealth Labour Councils resumed their discussion of the Deportation Act. The greatest secrecy was preserved, but it is known that the Councils sent a message to the Waterside Workers’ Federation, asking the delegate to attend. No secret is now made of the fact that an ugly situation has developed, and the delegates declare that the slightest move affecting the Trade ( nion movement may precipitate a crisis. ADELAIDE, September 1.1. A deputation of passengers aboard the I’, ami O. liner Balranald, held up owing to the strike, waited on the Premier (Mr J. Gunn) to ascertain whether the Government could do anything to assist them in getting to their destinations. It was stated that the steamer has been held up for three weeks, ami the position is becoming serious. Of s<hj passengers who arrived, 370 are thirdclass travellers, and are still on the ves-

sei. Many of then) are entirely without neans. Th.' company had ottered to pay £1 sterling to each passenger for Melbourne, £2 for Sydney, and £3 for Brisbane, but it cost considerably more than that for them to obtain transport. The Premier, replying, expressed sympathy with the unfortunate passengers, ami promised to get in touch with the authorities concerned to see what could