STRIKE SPREADS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23045, 23 November 1936, Page 9

STRIKE SPREADS

THE MARITIME HOLD-UP LEADER'S DECLARATION (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) NEW YORK, Nov. 21. (Received Nov. 22, at 7.30 p.m.) The maritime strike entered a new phase when the Masters, Mates and Pilots' Association and the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association issued genera] strike calls on the east and west coasts due to the failure of certain steamship companies to grant requests for a wage conference. All ships here left to schedule today, and officials of the International Seamen's Union claimed that the walkout was broken and ended.

The Joint Strike Policy, Committee for the Pacific coast was in session all day at San Francisco, and dispersed without taking action on the Australian transportation request Mr Bridges, later addressing the Central Labour Council, declared that Labour was determined to see the fight through to a finish. ' We would rather face machine . guns than go back to the conditions before 1934." he said. " Certain employers—l mean the American, Hawaiian, Dollar and Matson Lines —are so blind that they want to take the hiring of halls away from the maritime unions. We are convinced that the ship owners are waiting for racketeers to break the eastern strike and then move in on us, but we thought out our programme and we are sticking to it." ENSURING FOOD SUPPLIES DEMONSTRATION BY STRIKERS WASHINGTON, Nov. 21. (Received Nov. 22, at 6.30 p.m.) The Secretary of the Interior (Mr H. C. Ickes) is considering the use of Government vessels if necesary to assure the shipment of food supplies to Honolulu. At New York 1000 strikers demanded admittance to the International Seamen's Union assembly hall but were refused on the ground that they had forfeited their membership by joining the insurgent movement. They were forced' to satisfy themselves ' by clamorous marching up and down protesting outside the hall.