Strike of Firemen.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 11, 5 February 1907, Page 4

Strike of Firemen.

FIFTY-SEVEN SENT TO JAIL. Sydney, February 2. Trouble arose with the crew of the Sonoma, preventing her departure. The agents' story is that the firemen wished that four natives, who were shipped at Honolulu to fill deserters' berths, should be ousted to make room for four men originally belonging to the Ventura. The men’s version is that they were quite willing to work wi h the natives, but that a vacancy which occurred in the stokehold had been filled by a Sydney man, who was not a member of their Union, when it could have been filled by a Ventura man, They therefore walked ashore when the vessel was on the point of sailing. The crew sided with the fireman. Forty-nine were arrested for disobedience of orders. The Seamen’s Union decided to man the R.M.S, Sonoma. There is a probability of the stewards and cooks striking. Fifty-seven of the firemen and seamen of thi R.M.S. Sonoma were charged with disobedience of orders. The defence was that 'heir agreement provided for preference 10 Unionists, and (his was broken. All were sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment. February 3. The Sonoma is still held-up here.