SHIPPING STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22744, 3 December 1935, Page 9

SHIPPING STRIKE

EXTENSION OF TROUBLE EIGHT VESSELS NOW AFFECTED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY, December 2. Eight vessels are now affected by the shipping strike, and the total number of men involved is 774. Four more vessels are expected to tie up to-day. An Adelaide message says that the seamen there are unwilling to be drawn into the dispute unless forced to do so by concerted action on the part of interstate seamen. The secretary of the Queensland branch of the Seamen’s Union stated that there was no likelihood of a holdup at Brisbane, at least for a few days. BRITISH PRESS COMMENT LONDON, December 2. (Received Dec, 2, at 10.16 p.m.) The Times City editor, commenting on Western Australian labour troubles, expresses the opinion that the outlook for the State is particularly embarrassing in view of the forthcoming opening of the new wheat season. “Perhaps the most hopeful feature is that continuance of the dispute would so gravely affect industry that the Government may be expeqted to make every- possible effort to secure a resumption of sailings. Shipowners cannot adequately counter the prospect of a continuance by additional rates, owing to the possibility of indefinite delay. Accordingly they are bound in self defence to avoid arranging for ships to call there until they are assured that they will be not unreasonably detained.”

SEAMEN TO MEET TO-DAY SYDNEY, December 2. (Received Dec. 2, at 11.15 p.m.) It is expected that six additional vessels will be drawn into the shipping dispute to-night or early to-morrow. The crews of the following are to give notice: —Era, Kowarfa, Period, Kini, Manund.a, and Canberra. A large meeting of seamen is being held to-morrow- to decide the future policy and organisation. It is understood that efforts will be made to induce the men to return to work pending application to the court for variation of the clauses of the new award to which objection is expressed. Prior to the arrival of the Niagara to-day the volunteer members of the crew were taken off in a launch down the harbour, so that they would not be brought into contact with members of the Seamen’s Union at present on strike.