SYMPATHY DWINDLING.

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

SYMPATHY DWINDLING.

BRITISH SEAMEN'S CASE. COMMUNISTS AS LEADERS. TRADES HALL DISPLEASED. SITUATION IN AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received 10.35 p.m.) A. and N.Z. MELBOURNE. Oct. 8. The executive of the Trades Hall Council has instructed the British seamen's strike committee that the activities of two prominent members of the Communist Party, who are posing as, leaders of the strike, must cease if the Trades Hall is to be connected officially with the strike. At Sydney to-day several more strikers were each sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. FRACAS AT FREMANTLE. ANOTHER VESSEL RAIDED. - DEMODOCUS LEAVES PORT. A. and N.Z. PERTH. Oct. 8. Another disturbance occurred on the Fremantle wharves to-day. While the steamer Trelyon was lying at her berth she was raided by about 400 striking British seamen. The raiders drew the fires and removed the fire-bars. The seamen of the Trelyon, who are coloured men, were intimidated into joining the strikers. The firemen refused to be coerced, however. Although the Trelyon had previously been declared " black," her cargo is being worked by the Waterside Workers' | Federation. Members of the police force had been j in the vicinity of the vessel for some time before the raid, but, as everything was quiet they were withdrawn. Immediately after their departure the strikers arrived. Exciting scenes were witnessed when the Demodocus was moved from the wharf to an anchorage. When the vessel commenced to move the pickets summoned about 200 strikers, who attempted to interfere with the vessel's lines. A large force of policemen who were in hiding on the wharf were called out and prevented the strikers from carrying out their intention. The strikers then attempted to procure small boats and prevent the lines from being attached to the buoys. The police also stopped this effort. The Demodocus subsequently sailed for Eastern ports with a full crew. DISPUTE AT BRISBANE. PILOT SERVICE DISLOCATED. FEARS OF TOTAL SUSPENSION. A. and N.Z BRISBANE. Oct. 8. A serious position has arisen at the port of Brisbane owing to the pilot service not being available to the shipowners. The seamen on the tugs had been ordered to refuse to move, or to assist in the movement of overseas vessels affected by the strike. The port authorities, for the first time in the history of the port, refused to grant a pilot unless a tug was forthcoming. Representations were made to the Premier, Mr. W. N. Giiles. but without effect. The Government ordered one. pilot to move the ship, but he refused. It is feared that the whole pilot service will cease work should the Government attempt to force the men to handle ships against their will. SHIN WELL'S STRATEGY. ENROLLING FREE MEMBERS. SEAMEN'S UNION GROWING. A. and N.Z. LONDON. Oct. 8. The president of the British Seamen's and Firemen's Union, Mr. Havelock Wilson, reports that 4000 members of the organisation have been enrolled at Montreal, Quebec and New York. All the men are on British ships. Mr. Wilson says he understands that only £IO.OOO remain of £IOO.OOO which was handed over by the Cooks and Stewards' Union when the amalgamation of that body with the Marino Workers' Union was effected three years ago. Hence the Marine Workers' Union's shortage of funds. Mr. Wilson says he has been informed that the secretary of the latter union, Mr. E. Shin well, is issuing to the strikers free tickets of membership in the hope that the new members will bo able to pay at some future time, and thus swell the nominal membership of tho union. LEFT AT CAPETOWN. NUMBER OF STRIKERS. ANOTHER SHIP GETS AWAY. Reuter. CAPETOWN. Oct. 7. The Kildonan Castle has sailed for England, leaving behind a number of her striking crew.