GENERAL STRIKE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17606, 23 October 1931, Page 5

GENERAL STRIKE

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING SEAMEN’S GRAVE MOVE FEDERAL ACTION POSSIBLE OWNERS TO USE FREE LABOR (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received Oct. 23, 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 23. A startling turn in the seamen’s dispute, arising out of a mass meeting of 2000, held in Sydney yesterday, was a decision to declare a strike on the whole of the ships employed on the Australian coast. All the crows of the intcr-State vessels were required to give notice at 5 p.m.’ The terms proposed by the Conciliation Commissioner in Melbourne on Monday were rejected. It is reported that a two-thirds majority reached a decision for a general strike on coastal shipping, which is declared binding ou till ■States. The decision has been telegraphed to all ports. The secretary of the Sydney branch, Mr. Raeburn, advocated the resumption of 'work on compromise terms, but was howled down.

The Daily Telegraph says unrestrained Communist agitation on the water:'.’ont has led to what may be Australia’s most violent industrial struggle. Alderman J. Garden, secretary of tho Labor Council, challenges the New Guard to man the ships'. The New G'uard reiterated its intention of prelecting volunteers, and the seamen replied with an announcement that they are forming a defence corps in all Slates to combat its activities. £25,000 LOST IN WAGES Interviewed, Colonel Campbell, leader of the New Guard, said: “We are now discussing tho whole position with the shipping men, and I cannot say more just now.” The Labor Council decided to convene a conference of representatives .ni all organisations opposed to the New Guard. With the Premier, Mr. Lang, the Minister of Labor, Mr. Baddeley, and Air. Gosling, Chief Secretary, away from Sydney, no indication of the State Government’s attitude could be obtained. Trades Hall pressure will he brought to bear with tho object of keeping the Government neutral, it' possible. It is estimated that if tho trouble becomes general nearly 75 vessels on Australian articles will be affected. The notice given by the crew of the -Ulinniroa will not expire till 5 p.m. to-day and, as the vessel is timed to, sail at 2 p.m., she will probably get away. The seamen’s meeting was very protracted and was not concluded till late in tho afternoon. A large number of militants created pandemonium, and it was .impossible for the speakers to make themselves heard. The shipowners subsequently indicated that they had no intention of conceding any further demand or privileges, and expressed the opinion that they had no alternative but to accept the challenge and invite free labor. A decision to this effect is expected immediately. . The transhipment of cargo from the vessels already involved, the Canberra, Wear and Westralia, is almost completed at a heavy cost, at least £25,000 in wages being lost by the idle crows.

The shipowners’ campaign will be conducted from Melbourne, where the headquarters ate situated, and the Sydliey office is now in close touch awaiting the next move. “Wo know where we stand now,” remarked one prominent shipping man. Tho provisions of the Navigation Act enable the Commonwealth Government to grant permits to British overseas ships to carry cargoes and passengers between Australian ports, when it can be shown that the coastal services are inadequate. CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE The particular seaman responsible for the strike is named Schcllev, a native of Germany, but now a naturalised Britisher, whose address is the Communist headquarters at Sydney. He told the seamen’s meeting that he asked the reason for his dismissal from tho Canberra, but none was forthcoming. Ho was, however, told that his services were satisfactory. Tho Victorian seamen soem certain to support the strikers. Many members of the Victorian branch are antagonistic to Schcllev, but will consent to a sympathy strike. Tile feeling at Canberra is that the Federal Cabinet intends to give instructions for the arrest of the strike leaders. Tho Prime Minister, answering a question in the House of Representatives in the afternoon, said the Government would enforce the law against too Seamen ’s- Union, which could be dealt with under the Crimes Act passed by tho Bruce Government. _ Tho shipowners are considering the position. It is unofficially stated that tlioy will take tho Prime Minister at his word and urge him, as a preliminary move, to take action against the strikers’ officials under the Federal Crimes Act.