STATE SHIPPING PARALYSED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20282, 4 December 1935, Page 9

STATE SHIPPING PARALYSED

RAPID EXTENSION OF STRIKE MORE VESSELS RENDERED IDLE United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 3, 7.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 3. A general strike, with complete dislocation of Australian shipping, has begun. Mass meetings of seamen in Sydney and Melbourne to-day, overwhelmingly rejected the new award. The Sydney seamen heavily defeated a motion proposed by the general secretary (Mr Jacob Johnson), that the award should be accepted, pending the holding of a plebiscite for acceptance or rejection of the award. Over 1000 men attended a stopwork meeting in the basement of the Sydney Town Hall. The discussion at times was extremely acrimonious. The officials, who are anxious for peace, impressed on the men that the new award had many advantages not hitherto enjoyed, but they were repeatedly howled down. Fears are now expressed that the waterside workers, whose award is due for revision, may join the seamen. The Niagara, which arrived yesterday, made a call for wharf labourers to-day, but no men responded. NEW AWARD REJECTED HOLD UP EXTENDS TO OTHER STATES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 3, 7.50 p.m.) MELBOURNE, December 3. After nearly two hours’ discussion, the Melbourne branch of the Seamen’s Union passed a resolution rejecting the new award, and directing every member of the Union on ships in port immediately to give 24 hours’ notice, and members of all other ships to do likewise when they reach their home port. About 250 men were present. The resolution was carried by an overwhelming majority, despite the vigorous opposition of the Federal president, Mr W. Clark. Shipmasters’ Challenge Shipowners are introducing volunteers, and there is a probability of the Federal Government instituting a licensing system under the Transport Workers’ Act. The Melbourne decision means that Tasmania will become isolated, except for the one day a week service being provided by overseas liners under a recent amendment in the Navigation Act. FEDERAL CABINET CONVENED IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS ANTICIPATED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 3, 7.50 p.m.) CANBERRA, December 3. The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) convened a special Cabinet meeting this afternoon to discuss the strike, and important developments are expected this evening. EXTENSION OF STRIKE TRAVELLING PUBLIC GRAVELY INCONVENIENCED Onlted Press Association—By Eleetrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 3, 9 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 3. Among the passenger ships which were listed to sail this afternoon, and whose departure is now indefinite, are the Wanganella for Auckland, the Canberra for Melbourne and Adelaide, and the Manunda for Cairns and ports. Hundreds of passengers will have to find other means of transport, involving serious inconvenience and loss of time and money. Should the dispute cover the 105 vessels engaged in the coastal trade, it is estimated that 4000 seamen, in addition to thousands of wharf labourers, stewards, tally clerks and carters will be rendered idle. The shipping companies report that at least 5000 persons are booked for pleasure cruises and coastal trips between now and January. The Taiping, which sailed to-day, received a permit to carry passengers to Melbourne. The Niagara has been moved from her ordinary berth to Cockatoo dock with her cargo still aboard. Attitude of Other States. A stop-work meeting of the South Australian branch of the Seamen’s Union decided to repudiate the recent award and to support whatever action is taken in Sydney. The seamen in Brisbane have decided to recommend that an immediate application be made to the Commonwealth Arbitration Court for a

variation of the new award with respect to the obnoxious clauses, but retaining the monetary clauses, which are an improvement on past awards, awards. “VICIOUS ATTACK" SEAMEN’S DESCRIPTION OF AWARD United Press Association—By Electric Tel egrapb—Copyright (Received December 4, 1.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 3. The seamen’s resolution to-day described the Court’s award as “a vicious attack on the conditions of the men.” The meeting also instructed all members of the Union to give 24 hours’ notice, and expressed the willingness of the Union to negotiate direct with the shipowners on the basis of the old award for a shorter working week, and upon the improvements contained in the new award.