THE ORFORD HELD UP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23378, 18 December 1937, Page 13

THE ORFORD HELD UP

CREW WALK OFF LINER CLASH WITH THE POLICE SYDNEY, Dec. 17. The Orford was held up to-night and her sailing delayed. There were unruly scenes between the police and strikers at Woolloomooloo last night, when more than 200 members of the Orford’s crew walked off the ship. One striker attempted to address the crew from a pile of timber. When he ignored the police order to desist the police mounted the pile and attempted to drag him away. In an instant fists were flying and several of the strikers were seized. Late last night settlement moves resulted in about 50 strikers returning to the ship, which left the wharf and achored in the harboui. The demands of the strikers are: The dismissal of the staff commander, alleging unwarranted persecution of the staff: provision of seating accommodation at meals; withdrawal of rigid inspection in the tropics; and permission for all hands to leave the vessel in port without written permission. The company officials state that they are hopeful of an early settlement. During the night a number of the crew returned to the Orford in launches following a deputation to Captain Cameron, who promised that there would be no victimisation. One hundred and fifty are still on strike. The meeting between the crew’s representatives and the company is still in progress. The passengers are remaining aboard theliner. A message received yesterday stated: Members of the crew of the Orford said they would stop work at 10 o’clock to-night unless certain grievances were remedied. The liner is due to leave at that time on a cruise to New Zealand. THE DISPUTE SETTLED LINER LEAVES SYDNEY SYDNEY, Dec. 17. (Received Dec. 17, at 9 p.m.) The dispute on the Orford was patched up. The stewards returned to the ship at noon and the Orford sailed for New Zealand, via Brisbane, at 1 p.m.