SHIPPING STRIKE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16871, 28 October 1925, Page 13

SHIPPING STRIKE.

POSITION AT SYDNEY IMPROVING. BOYCOTT OP THE .MADIA. FARMERS PREPARING TO WORK VESSEL. ißlfc. Tel. Copyright— Flnited Pres? Assn.: (Received October 28, 1 p.m.) . SYDNEY, October 28. Although lliero is no sign of (‘tiding the strike, the position in Sydney is steadily improving, and ship-owners gradually are regaining sufficient command of the situation to despatch vessels. East night the steamer Christinnsborg sailed for the South Scaf, manned by a full crow. The vatersiderr. 'continue to work all vessels. BRISBANE, October 28. During n conference between .the waterside workers, seamen, and shipping companies’ representatives at Gladstone, Captain Williams, of the steamer Maliia, said the strike committee had broken its promises respecting coaling' his vessel. He had delayed coaling until Wednesday, but did not. think the farmers could lie put off any longer. Coal was available and the. farmers had been promised ample police protection. The matter was then allowed to stand over until Wednesday night after the strikers had agreed to withdraw pickets. Farmer'! of Ike district have been circularised urging that every loyal citizen should assist to protect the voluntary workers at Gladstone to load coal. Tt is understood that if neeessarv any number of farmers, from 200 to 1000,' will go 16 Gladstone.

The attitude of the strike committee towards British vessels With colored crews appears to be undecided. There is no indication Whether, the. committee intends to enforce the decision of the strikers that all British ships entering Brisbane should be declared black.

It has been disclosed that the crews of. tugs state they will refuse to handle any ship on which an embargo has been placed.PERTH, October 28. As a result of the seamen’s strike, and the embargo placed on Fremantle by the owners, less than fifty per cent, of the watersiders there are working, and those working are averaging only fifty shillings weekly in wages. MELBOURNE, October 28. The steamer Sophocles has sailed for Sydney. Her crew, who engaged in South'Africa, is composed of sons of farmers. It. is expected when the ship reaches Sydney she will be held up as the crew signed on for the voyage out only. NEAR Rid!' IN SYDNEY.

THE POLICE SfOXEB. V COAL FOR- REFRIGERATOR SHIPS. COLLIER LEAVES SYDNEY. (Received October 2b, 2 p.m.) SYDNEY. October 28. Following on the arrest of a strikers' picket for stoning two seamen returning to their ship late at night, the police were stoned by other pickets. Subse - quently over three hundred strikers assembled and marched to Circular ‘Quay.All the police in the city area hurried to the scene hi motor cars, and met anti dispersed the strikers. Five arrests were made. Ckving to steps taken quietly in Sydney more than a week ago by the shipowners. perishable cargo on more than one stormier held up in North Queens laml will be preserved. The collier Oorvinial cleared several days ago for New Caledonia Willi a full cargo of ‘coal, but on 'caving Sydney sailed north., Sim will coal the steamer Pap am a off Townsville Vnd then return to coal the steamer Port Hardy off Bowen.

‘ATTACKION STEAMER. ATTEMPTS TO .DAMAGE SOMERSET (Received October 2ft, 2 p.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 28. Details have been received of an attack on the steamer Somerset at Townsville by strikers, who endeavored for two days to damage the vessel (seriously. When an attempt was made to get the vessel, which is an oil-burner, froth the wharf, the pilot and tug hands refused to handle her. A la>\eo number of strikers then attacked the .ship and bombarded he with lumps of coal, and also threatened to huni the vessel Later a party of Strikers in a rowing boat attempted to "disable the .ship’s propellers and rudder, hut were prevented by the arrival of the police.

SERIOUS POSITION IN NORTHERN QUEENSLAND. LAWLESS ELEMENT TERRORISING COMMUNITY. FARMERS IN DESPERATE PLIGHT. (Received October 28, 2 p.m.) BRISBANE, Oct. 28. Tho threat of tug hands, not to handle “black” ships was forestalled when three British vessels berthed at Pinkcubn wharf, instead of proceeding up the river. These vessels were thus enabled to leave port without the aid of tugs. Advices from Bowen state that the lawless element is terrorising the residents. It is reported that armed extremists have been intimidating wntersiflers from taking part in a secret ballot on the rotary system. , The, position at Inkennan is alarming. Unless relief is forthcoming this week farmers will be faced with starvation and utter ruin. A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce decided to telegraph tho Premier, declaring his protection was demanded, otherwise it was feared the farmers, who now arc desperate, would tak'e matters into their own hands. MELBOURNE, Oct. 28. Tho Oronsay and Diogenes have stilled, manned with full crews. There/ are indications that the support previously given the strilters is failing. TREFUS'IS HELD UT*. (Per Press Association. \ AUCKLAND, this day. The Home liner Trefusis, which arrived from Newport on October 15, con. plctcd discharge of her Auckland cargo io day. and Was about to,propped to Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. It is understood that a section of thr- crow is refusing duty, and that voluntary labor will he engaged.