PART OF GREAT CONSPIRACY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 19 September 1925, Page 9

PART OF GREAT CONSPIRACY.

Latest'View of Seamen’s Strike.

OWNERS’ OFFICIAL VIEW. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, September 17. In an official statement, the shipowners say they are convinced that the strike abroad is part of a great Communist conspiracy against the mercantile marine. “We are aware that Communist agitators induced the men to man the Ships with the deliberate, definite intention of deserting and leaving shipping stranded afi over the world.’’

OUTLOOK IN AUSTRALIA. QUEENSLAND INDUSTRIES HARD HIT. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. BRISBANE, Sept, 17. The sugar and timber industries are being seriously affected by the closing of several ports owing to the action Of the waterside workers in introducing the rotary system of employment. \ The deoision of the watersiders to declare “black’ r the ports of Brisbane and Townsville, where the system has, not. yet been adopted, has thrown the coastal trade into confusion.

All passenger services are completely disorganised. Regular cargo services to the various Queensland ports are similarly asffeqted. A number of sugar mills have ceased operations owing to inability to move their products. > EXTREMISTS’ ACTIVITIES. EFFORTS TO HAMPER TRANSPORT. . By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. SYDNEY, September 17. ,At the Trades and Labour Council!, Mr Waish said he had received information that the steamer Orvieto, which was due at Fremantle shortly, was carrying some hundreds of free labourers to man idle ships here. The Council discussed ways (and means of preventing the passengers on the ■ Orvieto, which will be declared “black” on arrival at Fremantle, getting to the Eastern States. Mr Johnson said they would! have to be transferred to inter-State ships, which, if this were done, would also be declared “black.” Mr Walsh said if the passengers came by rail, the " railway workers should bo instructed to stop the trains.

A further batch of striking seamen were sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment. DEMANDS IN MELBOURNE. CAMP FOR STRIKERS PROPOSED. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cnblo Association. MELBOURNE, September 17. The Melbourne strike committee has communicated with the c'ommittjees in other States, asking them to change the objective from a demand for £1 per month to the Australian rates of pay.. A decision has been reached by the Overseas Strikers’ Committee to concentrate all British seamen'on strike in Australia at a special camp in the vicinity of Melbourne, probably Altona.

It is expected for a start the camp will comprise 6000 men. This scheme for meeting the accommodation question is regarded as an economical one.

SUPPORT OF MEN. POLICE NOTICE TO SHIPOWNERS. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. CAPETOWN, September 17. Acting under instructions lrom Pretoria, the police at Durban informed the shipmasters that they were acting illegally in refusing to feed the men. Tile Government holds that the ships are responsible for the expenditure incurred for tho sustenance of the men thus forced ashore. BRING THE SHIPS HOME. OWNERS SUGGEST NEW CREW'S. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Received September 18, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, Septombor 17. Lloyd’s List understands that the shipowners aro considering tho possibility of sending solution from Dritain to bring back tho ships held up in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

ECHO OF OPENING STAGES. CHARGE OF ASSAULT DISMISSED. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, September 17. Reed was found not guilty and discharged. Reed gave evidence that when the unofficial, strike .started in August, Cookliu and Johnson took a leading part, intimidated members of the turon and assaulted some of them. Cookliu come to the Jioanl of Trade ofiieo on August 2.1 .and told witness that one man had his nose cut off and another his eye put out, and that Reed would get the same if lie did not stop shipping blacklegs. Johnson subsequently delivered" a speech threatening to puH down witness’s oliice, and “do the officials.” ’Heeds wife was very unset about tho threats because nT the children. Johnson on August 26, delivered a .speech before a crowd of 2 01) to 300 urging them to “limb the bloodsuckers.” The meeting became very menacing, Reed became nervous and fired three idiots over the bends of the crowd in order to fright them. He

emphatically denied that he intended to hit or murder anyone. Cookliu then ran towards tho door of the office. Reed was afraid he was going to lead tho mob to break in, so he fired a shot, w’do of him, and stopped, him. Cross-examined, Reed said ho did not ask for police protection. An official gave him a pistol, becauso three men assaulted him the week before,