SEAMEN’S STRIKE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19435, 22 October 1925, Page 7

SEAMEN’S STRIKE

N.S.W. GOVERNMENT’S INACTIVITY

MR LANG BLAMES MR BRUCE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR TROUBLE. By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright. Received October 21. 10.15 p.m. SYDNEY. Oct. 21. In the Assembly. Mr J. T. Lang, replying to questions as to whether the Government was prepared to take any steps to end the strike, said it was purely a Federal matter. Mr Bruce was responsible for no efforts having been made to settle the strike. He was the only man who had given the industrial upheaval his benediction, because it suited him for political purposes. SUPPORT OF STRIKERS SYDNEY SEAMEN TO CARRY ON Received October 21, 10.15 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 21. A meeting of members of the Sea[men’s Union resolved to continue unqualified support of the striking British seamen. Ways and means of assisting the strikers in holding out were considered, but not finalised. The meeting adjourned till to-morrow. HORORATA AND RARANGA

SAILORS BEFORE THE COURT [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, Oct. 21. Two members of the crew of the Horarata, charged with refusing to obey a lawful command, were sentenced to one month’s gaol.

The captain said the men were adopting a policy of obstruction following upon the engagement of free labour. The defendants admitted taking a day off, but thought the case would be met by the usual course of stoppage of a day’s pay. The defendants were among the men convicted of deserting the ship at Lyttelton. The captain said the men had almad v broken a •written agreement. The defendants told the Court they were now prepared to work with free labour, but the captain said the men had been sent to cause trouble. Two seamen charged with deserting from the Raranga were remanded till to-morrow.

TAINUI MEN IMPRISONED THREE MONTHS’ IMPOSED (Per Press Association! AUCKLAND, Oct. 21. Thirty-eight men of the Tainui's crew were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment this morning for combining to refuse lawful commands. Counsel for the Shaw, Savill Company said the circumstances were peculiar and sinister. The men struck at Wellington, and later, at their own request, were brought to Auckland at the com- { pany’s expense and permitted to rejoin the Tainui here. After doing routine work since last Saturday week, they this morning refused to take the ship to sea. THE TAINUI SAILS 50 VOLUNTEER SEAMEN ABOARD [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Oct. 21. i The overseas steamer Tainui sailed 'this evening for Opua. She is manned Iby some of the original nearly 50. volunteer seamen. Some of the i crew left the ship at Wellington, and others who refused duty this morning 'were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. The Tainui at present has more than her complement for a cargo steamer of her size. When taking passengers she carries a large number of stewards, and her complement then is about 120 all told. Before she saus finally for London a sufficient number of stewards will be signed on to replace those left behind in New Zealand. AT AUCKLAND POSITION STEADILY IMPROVING. [Per Press Association.! AUCKLAND, Oct. 21. Thirteen British steamers have been delayed in Auckland for varying periods since the seamen’s strike extended to the port on August 25; Of the number twelve have sailed. The only one still delayed in port is the Zinal, and she is expected to sail at an early date. The only other British vessel in port is the Trefusis, which is now discharging cargo from New York. Cargo operations will be completed on Friday or Saturday, when'the ship is to sail for southern ports to complete discharge. It is not expected she will be delaved fey the strike.