GLAD TO BE BACK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19432, 17 October 1925, Page 7

GLAD TO BE BACK

STRIKERS WILLING TO WORK AGAIN

DAYLIGHT AHEAD * MEN AWAIT COMPULSORY CONFERENCE. SYDNEY, October 16. Coaling operations commenced at Newcastle on the White Star liner Suevic. No trouble is rnticipated in getting the vessel away on scheduled time. MELBOURNE, October 16. In the event of the compulsory conference failing, there is every indication that the strike will collapse in Melbourne. The men are eager to return to work, as they hope to obtain through the Court more concessions than w r ould otherwise be granted. ADELAIDE, October 16. The steamer Automedon sailed for Europe, the crew remaining loyal. PERTH, October 16. The Seamen’s Union prevented the whqrf labourers removing ashes from overseas vessels. BRISBANE, Oct. 16. The Premier announced that he would consider the advisableness of preventing further prosecution of striking seamen until after the compulsory conference. A mass meeting of seamen agreed to supply labour without any consideration of payment by the shipowners, and the coal workers agreed to supply coal for the steamer Barrabool to work her refrigerating plant. It is understood that the Australian Seamen’s Union will pay the men Australian rates of pay out of their own funds pending a settlement of the dispute. The owners have so far not replied to the offer.

SHIPOWNERS AND THE CONFERENCE.

NOTHING IN DISPUTE. WILL NOT ACCEPT JURISDICTION OF COURT Received October 16, 9.40 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 16. Mr Seale, Deputy-Secretary to the Overseas Shipping Association, has received a cable from the British shipowners staling that they are willing that he attend as a matter of courtesy Monday’s compulsory conference conditional upon there being no assumption that there is any implication by such attendance that the British shipowners accept the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Arbitration Court in any question affecting the ships’ articles, except on the principle land terms •which have been enunciated on their behalf throughout the strike. The message adds: The shipowners deny there is any matter in dispute and consider the intervention of the Court ultra vires and calculated to prolong and extend the trouble.

CUTTING OUT OF FREMANTLE

ATTITUDE OF OWNERS. Received Oct. 16, 8.30 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 15. The Australian steamship lines state that intimidatory picketing of the Orsova justifies the decision to omit the call at Fremantle. There has been failure on the part of the State authorities to restrain the pickets, and the owners consequently have cabled, holding the Federal and State Governments responsible for damage and loss due to lack of protection.

STRIKERS CONFER

DIVIDED COUNSELS Received October 16, 9.40 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 16. • A mass meeting of strikers to-dhy discussed their attitude towards Monday’s conference. A lively discussion disclosed considerable difference of opinion among the leaders, Tom Walsh favouring a round-table talk with tho owners, Johnson considering it weakness to discuss peace terms with the owners.

There was also much difference of opinion among the strikers themselves. It is understood that before the discussion commences at the conference the strikers’ representatives will demand the release of all strikers imprisoned throughout the Commonwealth. LEITRIM STILL HELD UP EIREMEN WANTED [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. IG. The Leitrim is still detained. She was to have left to-day for Dunedin, but is unable to raise steam enough to take her south owing to the lack of I labour.

THE ATHENIC CREW REFUSES DUTY STATUTORY PUNISHMENT TWO MONTHS’ GAOL [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Oct. 16. As a result of the action of tho engine room staff of the Athenic promising last evening to take their ship to sea and then, at the eleventh hour, when all was ready, going back on their word, 40 members of the crew appeared before Mr E. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court this afternoon. They were charged with combining to disobey lawful commands, or, alternatively, with combining to neglect duty. Thirty-seven of them received two months’ imprisonment. “This is not tho ordinary case,” said Mr E. R. McVeagh, who was prosecuting. “In ordinary cases the men complained that their wages were reduced after they went to sea. In this case tho men signed on for £9 10s per month and their wages have not been reduced. On September 29,’’ continued counsel, “these men wero asked to get ready to put to sea and they refused. Proceedings were contemplated, but yesterday, the men, who all belong to the engine room staff, went to the captain voluntarily and asked him to drop the proceedings, promising to take the ship to sea. Regardless of this promise, this morning, when anchor was weighed, the captain was informed the men declined to carry on. Their actions,’’ said Mr McVeagh, “must be regarded as a dcliber'aio and calculated one.’’ Counsel added that the Athenic was now ready for sea. “We have no crew,’* he said, “and we don’t wantthese men.”

In sentencing the men to two months’ imprisonment, the magistrate said the law looked after the seamen very well. All it required of the men was two duties: (1) to stick to their ship and (2) to obey commands. “You broke your bond and you deliberately broke your word,” concluded Mr Hunt. Three men, who were under 21 years of age, said they would not go back to the ship. Mr Hunt said he would not send 1 them to gaol. They were convicted and discharged.

PERTH MEN STAND OUT

DETERMINED TO WIN PERTH, October 16. A mass meeting of British seamen passed a resolution repudiating Mr Shinwell’s cabled declaration calling the strike off, and declaring that they are more than ever determined to win the fight.

RETURNING TO WORK

THE RARANGA’S MEN [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, October 16. The Raranga men were released nt 11.30 this morning and returned to work on the .advice of the secretary of the local branch of the Seamen’s Union and other union secretaries.

MR HAVELOCK WILSON’S PART

PRAISED BY AMERICAN LABOUR LONDON, October 15. Mr Havelock Wilson has received a telegram from New York stating: “The great American Federation of Labour Convention, representing the whole of organised labour in America, to-day, at Atlantic City, adopted a resolution congratulating the officers and members of the Sailors and Firemen’s Union of Great Britain on their firm stand against the Red destructionists.— (Signed) Orlonder Furuseth and Pryor.”

RARANGA’S MEN RETURN

COMPANY PAY ALL COURT COSTS [Per Press Awsocintion.] DUNEDIN, Oct. 16. The Raranga’s men have returned to their ship and resumed full duty. Tho imprisonment of six weeks was not to be carried out as tho Magistrate signed a warrant of deliverance. The captain visited tho police station this morning and completed arrangements and the men, accompanied by a sergeant and constable, marched to the boat and in the course of the day the completeness of the home-coming was visible in the articles of wearing apparel stretched across the forecastle. The Raranga is loading a large quantity of wool and general «argo for tho United Kingdom. Sho is' expected to sail for Lyttelton to-morrow afternoon. The company is paying all the Court costs in connection with the prosecution.