SHIPPING STRIKE

Southland Times, Issue 22766, 17 December 1935, Page 7

SHIPPING STRIKE

AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN APPLICATION TO HIGH COURT VALIDITY OF AWARD CHALLENGED (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 10.55 p.m.) Sydney, December 16. The High Court to-day heard argument on a summons by the Seamen’s Union against the Commonwealth Steamship Owners’ Association and other shipping companies calling on them to show cause why clauses 19 (2), 77 and 78 of the seamen’s award should not be declared invalid. A strong police guard kept a big crowd of seamen back and prevented the court room overflowing. Judgment was reserved. The Court also reserved judgment on an application by the Seamen’s Union for an interlocutory injunction prohibiting the Commonwealth Government from enforcing the Transport Workers Act and regulations against the seamen. A mass meeting of the Seamen’s Union has been called for to-morrow in Sydney to further discuss a proposal to tie up all inter-state ships, colliers and trawlers. A message from Adelaide states that resistance by local seamen to the licensing system is stiffening. The local branch secretary, Mr J. O’Neill, expressed the opinion that there would be a complete maritime strike by next week. The Wairxma sailed yesterday for San Francisco, while the Omana sailed on Saturday for New Plymouth.

VESSELS SAIL NON-UNION CREWS. VOLUNTEERS ATTACKED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Sydney, December 16. Five ships manned by non-union labour- sailed from Sydney during the week-end. The steamer James Cook, which has been held up at Newcastle for several days, secured a crew and left for South Australia. It is understood that the crew consisted of volunteers brought from Sydney. Two ships sailed from Brisbane with volunteer- crews. A message from Adelaide says that a move of importance which has shaken the more militant members of the South Australian Branch of the Seamen’s Union and has convinced shipowners that the back of the strike has been broken in South Australia was made when the crews of the coastal ships Karatta and Yandra, in defiance of the union, returned to their- ships and took them to sea. There have been two alleged attempts at intimidation in Melbourne. In each case a member of a non-union crew was attacked by four men, but escaped. Several coastal and inter-state steamers which left Geeland and Melbourne over the week-end were manned by non-union crews. FINANCIAL AID COAL-MINERS VOTE £l5O. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 1.40 a.m.) Sydney, December 16. The coal-miners’ executive, known as the consultative council, passed a resolution recommending the coalminers to refuse to supply coal for ships manned by volunteer labour. It also voted £l5O to the seamen’s strike fund. The Australian Council of Trades Unions recommended all unions to afford financial assistance to the seamen on strike.