FAILURE OF STRIKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19144, 9 October 1925, Page 8

FAILURE OF STRIKE.

MEN DRIFTING BACK. POSITION IN WELLINGTON. RETURN TO THEIR SHIPS. POLICE PROTECTION GIVEN. [BT TXuEGRAPH. —OWN CO SBEJTONDEST. ] WELLINGTON, Thursday. To-day saw the beginning of the end in Wellington as far as the shipping strike is concerned. Between 9 and 10 o'clock this morning strikers reported in twos and threes at the Central Police Station and made a request for police protection in order that they might return to their ships in the stream. The move was not altogether unexpected by the police, although the matter had been kept a close secret, and officers of the force were fully prepared to deal with the position. The men expressed willingness to resume duty under the terms of the new agreement and a number of motor-cars provided by the slapping companies; affected were requisitioned and in these the men were conducted to the waterfront and placed on board the tug Cowan. Each motor-ear was amply provided with police protection and necessary precautions were taken on the waterfront by means of police reinforcements to ensure that there should be no scene of any sort.

The possibility of a clash between the returning seamen and those still on strike was not overlooked by the police, but the work of placing the men back on board ship was carried out without the slightest hitch. In fact, such was the nature of the steps taken that pickets stationed on the waterfront by the strikers' committee were totally unaware of the change in the position until the tug Cowan had left the wharf. Pickets Arrive Too Late. Abo at two minutes after the tug had put out a couple of pickets arrived on the scene, bnt they were just in time to see members of the police force returning toward town.

For some days past there had been a feeling among the strikers that their tactics were not likely to meet with very much success and, moreover, a number of the men were feeling the pinch of having to exist on short rations and mmas any such luxuries as tobacco, etc. One man is reported as having remarked, "I'm fed up with walking about Wellington with nothing in my pocket The sooner I get into a job again the better." That appears to have been the attitude of the fifty or so men who reported to the police station this morning and were placed on board their various ships. The majority of the men who resumed duty this morning were members of the crew of the New Zealand Shipping Company's liner Turakina and the resiult fa that this vessel is now almost fully manned. It is understood that tie ship is now short of two men—deck hands — but no great difficulty is anticipated ia securing the neoessary men. As soon as that is done the Turakina will be able to leave port Men were also available for the Arawa and the Leitrim, although in the cases of these steamers the numbers were not so large. It is anticipated by the police, however, Ithat further men will be reporting and that within 48 hours at least 200 men will have returned to duty, reeling Among Arawa's Men. In connection with the Arawa the majority of the members of her crew are in prison serving a term of six weeks' imprisonment imposed on a charge of refusing dnty. Altogether there are 109 men in gaol and of these 96 are due to be released on Saturday, October 24. The term of the remainder expires two days later. Already three men, members of the crew of the Arawa, have mads application to thg authorities for permission to rejoin their ship and they have been granted that permission. It is understood that a similar concession will be made to any others who express a desire to rejoin their ships under the new agreement. Developments in this connection may be expected within the course of a day or so, as it was reported this morning that the Arawa's men at present confined in prison were conferring regarding the position. There is a clause in the Shipping and Seamen Act which provides that seamen in gaol may be placed on board ship att soon as a steamer is ready to sail. It is understood that the men serving sentences of imprisonment have been advised by the strike committee to return to their ships if they are given that opportunity by the Government It is stated further that a large number of applications have been made for work on the ships by volunteer seamen and that as far as the numbers of men offering are concerned there should be no difficulty in obtaining full complements for the boats within a day or two, whether or not more of the British seamen decide to turn to again. It is understood! that the liner Turakina, which has now been almost fully manned and which has cargo to load at Wellington, may be berthed early to-morrow morning. As soon as she has completed loading the Turakina will sail for Napier. THE HORORATA'S CREW. RELEASE FROM PRISON. ARRANGEMENTS BEING MADE. [BT VELEORAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. Arrangements are being made for the striking seamen from the Hororata, who are at present in Paparua prison, to be released in order to return to duty. It was stated this afternoon that the necessary formalities for the release of the men were now being arranged, and it was expected that the men would leave prison to-morrow to resume duty. RARANGA AT DUNEDIN. CREW SLEEPING ABOARD. [by telegraph.-—press association.] DUNEDIN, Thursday. The Raranga has almost completed her homeward loading. The men are sleeping aboard, but are having meals ashore. Otherwise the position is unchanged.