CONTINUING THE HOLD-UP

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12298, 18 November 1925, Page 7

CONTINUING THE HOLD-UP

AUSTRALIAN UNIONS MAY BOYCOTT STRIKE SHIPS SEAMEN’S STRIKE VIRTUALLY OVER THOSE STILL HOLDING OUT HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright, (Received November 17, 0-35 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 17. The news that several oversea vessels that have been held up in Sydney during the strike will have to be docked will ’probably complicate the industrial trouble. Mr J. Garden, secretary of the marine transport group of unions, said to-day that it was extremely unlikely that unionists would agree to carry out work gn vessels' that were affected by the strike. The liner Themistocles will be the first vessel to be docked. Though the strike has not been officially declared off men continue to go back to their ships. Thirty more returned to the Themistocles this morning, and the rest were expected back in the afternoon. The Labour Council sent 16250 from its local funds for the sustenance of strikers in Melbourne. This practically clears the balance in Sydney, but a further instalment is due from the New South Wales branch of the Seamen’s Union. As far as the strike in Sydney is concerned, the dispute is over. Those men who are meeting and reaffirming their determination to stand firm are from vessels that have sailed. The steamer Corrimal, on her arrival from Bowen, was declared “black” by the Waterside Workers’ Federation, because the Queensland farmers loaded sugar into her. In earlier messages it was stated:—-Following the elections the shipowners are now m a position to guarantee sailings, but it will be some months before normal conditions are restored. The strike hasi caused enormous losses to British lines, and it will be a considerable time before shipowners are able even to consider reduction of freights or fares. Well-informed circles believe that it will not be surprising if freights are increased. ' The strike has taken a fresh lease of life in Melbourne, the engine-room crew of the steamer Northumberland having struck in sympathy with their stranded comrades. The action is regarded as merely a post-election gesture of defiance. '