SHIPPING STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19584, 14 September 1925, Page 7

SHIPPING STRIKE

SITUATION IN AUSTRALIA ATTEMPTS AT SETTLEMENT. THE SYDNEY ENCOUNTER. NO FURTHER ARRESTS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, September 11. After the afternoon’s sensational arrest the police kept a sharp eve on the railway refreshment rooms, but there were no further arrests. A large party of strikers hurriedly left the railway station with the object, 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 their prey. Large bodies of police are now assembled in the vicinity. Various points about the harbour where men may attempt to put off to the idle ships are now strongly picketed. The strikers apparently anticipate defections in their ranks. THE DFTPORTATION BOARD. MANY SHARP CLASHES. SYDNEY, September 11. After hearing the evidence of the masters of several tied-up British steamers in relation to the events leading up to the men leaving ships, and many sharp clashes between opposing counsel, the Deportation Board adjourned till Monday. PEACE MOVE EXPECTED. MR LANG A LIKELY NEGOTIATOR. SYDNEY, September 11. It is “considered likely that an attempt will be made to settle the seamen’s strike in a similar way to that adopted in the recent Australian shipping crisis. Mr Lang is likely to be asked to act as negotiator between the strikers and owners. While the greatest secrecy is maintained, it is extremely probable that a peace move will shortly be made. A number of union leaders interviewed the Premier, and it is understood requested him to intervene. The conference of Labour Councils is still sitting. Finality is not expected before Monday. So far between 40 and 50 men have returned to the Drama. A further batch of strikers was sentenced to seven days’ hard labour. LOADING OPERATIONS GOING ON. INDICATIONS OF THE END. SYDNEY, September 12. Pending the execration of the warrants issued against the strikers no progress has been made towards a _ settlement _of the strike. Loading operations are being conducted in the stream by the members of the Watersiders’ Federation on at least one of the idle vessels. This is taken as an indication that the struggle will not last much longer. SYDNEY COURT PROCEEDINGS. MAGISTRATE’S (FRIENDLY ADVICE. COMMUNIST ACTTVITES. , SYDNEY, September 13. (Received Sept. 13, at 6.5 psm.) A number more strikers have been arrested, all going quietly. So far 1916 warrants have been issued. The shipowners deny that any proposal for settlement has been made to the seamen, stating that the owners are not peipared to compromise in any way, the only condition on which the dispute may be settled being the unconditional return of the men. . When a number of seamen appeared in court on charges of wilful neglect of duty, instead of dealing with the eases the magistrate adjourned the cases till Monday, stating that it was better to see whether the relations previously existing between the owners and the men could not be restored. He added that he believed the employers were not actuated by motives of vindictiveness. He believed the men would be reasonable if approached in the right way, and he was anxious disinterestedly to suggest a settlement. Such a suggestion would come better from him, as he was like an umpire in the matter then. Later in the day hq remanded a further batch of defendants, stating that a heart-to-heart talk would be a good Union circles are discussing the probability of Mr Lmg endeavouring to intervene as be did in the last shipping strike. .. At a meeting of the Trades Hall LotmciJ, the Communists’ controlling body, put forward a plan with the idea of forcing a general strike o-n the deportation issue, the keystone of the movement being the watersiders who were immediately to embark on an overtime strike. 'rho watersiders decided that they were convinced that the Trades Hall Council deliberately decided to put the onus of the fight on the watersiders at the behest of the seamen. J. Gardener and others stated that they were prepared to fight against deportation, but they would do so at their own time and in their own way, and would fight with their own methods. There are now two distinct sections of the council, one of which includes some political leaders It is believed that if negotiations were now opened the shipowners might renew their offer to allow the seamen to resume without punishment or logging. The other section, composed mainly of Communists, is opposed to settlement, and favours a general irritation strike and waterfront stoppage WALSH’S EXPECTATIONS. MELBOURNE, September 13. (Received Sept. 13, at 5.5 p.m.) A Seamen’s Union official stated that he had received a letter from Tom Walsh opposing a general strike as a protest against deportation. Walsh wrote: “This is a Deportation Board. We can expect nothing but deportatjon.” POLICE WARRANTS WITHHELD. MEN TO PRESENT THEMSELVES. MELBOURNE, September 11. The police decided to withhold the execution of 236 warrants, as the seamen are scattered about the suburbs. The union agreed that the men should march to police headquarters on Monday. The firemen and trimmers on the Mamari have struck. STRIKERS’ MASS MEETING. * A DETERMINED ATTITUDE. MELBOURNE, September 12. A ma£3 meeting of strikers decided that the imprisonment of the seamen had strengthened the resolution of the men, who were more determined than ever. It was decided to notify t Sic owners ii the demands of the strikers were not granted by September 19 a demand for Australian conditions and rates of pay would be. m-d-. It was also decided to call on* the crews of all British ships visiting Melbourne.

POSITION IN BRISBANE,

ROTARY SYSTEM ACCEPTED. BRISBANE, September 12. The inter-State shipping companies decided, under protest, to establish the rotary system of employment of watersiders at the several ports where the matter is in dispute, pending arbitration Court proceedings. SITUATION AT HOME. SEAMEN’S 'LABOUR PLENTIFUL LONDON, September 12. (Received Sept. 13, at 5.5 p.m.) It is officially stated that Bristol seamen who refused to work at the reduced rate of pay are ineligible to draw the unemployment benefits. Seamen’s labour is reported to be plentiful at Bristol Channel ports. The strike has not extended to Glasgow so far. —Renter. A HOSTILE CROWD. ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE. LONDON, August 27. Groups of strikers to-day gathered outside the Police Court when George Read, assistant secretary of the Stepnev branch of the National Seamen’s and 1* iremen’s Union, was charged with attempting to murder two strikers. The crowd did not attempt to enter the court. A detective gave evidence that it would be safer for Read if bo were remanded in custody, because he had been considerably worried over the strike—and the crowd was very hostile. Read, however, appealed for bail, asserting that Mr Havelock Wilson would act as surety for any amount. He was anxious to enter the Seamen’s Union s country convalescent home, to receive medical treatment for a week. The magistrate granted bail, accepting Mr Havelock Wilson as surety for iilOO. A DRAMATIC INCIDENT. IN .uoxcBAN HARBOUR. i CAPTAIN’S REVOLVER EFFECTIVE. CAPETOWN, September 11. A dramatic strike incident occurred at Durban, when Captain Churchill, of the steamer Essex Envoy, intimated that lie was going to take his ship to sea. After the men had once more refused duty the officers and engineers got up steam. The strikers then made a rush to put out the fires, but the captain held them up with a revolver. When the vessel began to move the men rushed to the deck and jumped on to a tug. The ship passed out of the harbour entrance and anchored outside. —A. and N.Z. Cable. ANOTHER MASTERFUL SKIPPERCAPETOWN, September 12. (Received Sept. 13, at 5.5 p.m.) * The captain of the Sophocles ordered all strikers off the ship. The men obeyed. —Renter. THE CAPETOWN PROCESSION. SEVENTY SUMMONSES ISSUED. CAPETOWN, September 11. Seventy summonses have been issued against the stokers and men organising the procession to the court as a demonstration with a view to enlisting public sympathy and collecting funds.—Reuter. IN NEW ZEALAND PORTS. THE BENICIA SEAMEN. MORE SERIOUS CHARGE PENDING. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 11. Eight deck hands belonging to the Benicia who appeared before the magistrate on Wednesday and were ordered to return to their vessel Lave not done any work since they went on board. Consequently they will appear before the magistrate on Monday to answer a charge of continuous disobedience of orders, and combining with others to delay the vessel. The crews of the other vessels are gradually drifting back, and while they will work in port they are firm in their refusal to take the ships to sea unless wages arc restored to the previous basis. ARRESTS PENDING IN WELLINGTON. PREPARATION OF WARRANTS. (Pee United Press Abbocxatioh.) WELLINGTON, September 12. It is understood unofficially that no arrests of the seamen sentenced yesterday have yet been made. The work of getting out the warrants is very considerable and in addition there is the difficulty of indentification. The assistance of officers of the ship will probably be required for this part of the proceedings. There have been no complaints about the conduct of the men ashore. No doubt if they went back to work even now little more would bo heard of the sentences. There is power under the Act to have the men replaced on board ship at any time within the currency of the sentence. / DEPARTURE OF RUAHTNE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON .September 12. The Ruahine sailed at 10.30 p.m, on Saturday for Auckland with her original crew on boa^d.