TROUBLE AT GLADSTONE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19439, 27 October 1925, Page 7

TROUBLE AT GLADSTONE

QUEENSLAND FARMERS AND STRIKERS COLLIDE POLICE REINFORCED AS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE STRIKE DECLARED ENDED IN NEW ZEALAND According to a statement (subsequently partially denied) at a meeting of seamen at Auckland, the seamen have acknowledged defeat and declared the strike off pending the day when they could try again with more hepe of success. In Queensland there have been some ugly incidents. Farmers determined to secure coal to keep held-up steamers’ refrigerators going, were attacked by strikers, who are In possession of the Mahia, lying at Gladstone. In view of the farmers’ preparations to use force, police reinforcements have been brought into the town. A later message states that the strikers have decided to provide coal for the refrigerators. In Fremantle, police have been informed that no leave can be granted.

By Telerraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.

COLLISION AT BRISBANE FARMERS ATTACKED BY STRIKERS. TROUBLE EXPECTED TO-DAY. BRISBANE. Oct. 26. The strikers used physical force in ejecting a number of graziers who came aboard for a musical evening with the captain, but the crew were under the impression that they were coming to work the ship, and threatened to throw them into the harbour if they did not leave. After blows were exchanged the farmers left, and the strikers picketed the ship. The farmers in the district. learning of the trouble, flocked to town, and at a meeting decided to render assistance in putting coal aboard the Mahia for the refrigerators.' They also decided that if the vessel was not coaled by Tuesday an army of farmers would proceed to the wharf and commence bunkering operations. Police reinforcements have been rushed to the town in anticipation of further trouble.

STRIKERS VIOLENT VOLUNTEERS SAVAGELY ATTACKED. BRISBANE, Oct. 26. Striking seamen rushed a taxi-cab containing volunteers, savagely attacking them. One volunteer was sent to hospital. The strikers also attacked a Nationalist meeting on the Yarra Bank, upset the platform, and broke up the meeting. FEELING RUNS HIGH FARMERS INVADE GLADSTONE THREATEN TO COAL THE MAHIA POLICE REINFORCEMENTS SENT Received Oct. 26. 9.10 p.m. BRISBANE, Oct. 26.

The strikers at Gladstone remain in possession of the Mahia and the wharf, which is strongly picketed. The town is full of farmers, who are determined to supply the vessel with coal. They have asked the Premier for State protection while they do j?o. Feeling runs high and if the farmers attempt to carry out the threat serious trouble is expected. Police reinforcements have be>,r. drafted to Gladstone from Rockhampton. It appears that the farmers* visit to the Mahia, which led to the trouble, was for the purpose of discussing with the captain plans for working the ships with volunteer labour. “COAL MUST BE SUPPLIED” FARMERS’ THREAT EFFECTIVE Received Oct. 26, 9.10 p.m. BRISBANE, Oct. 26. The strikers’ committee interviewed the Premier regarding the dispute, including the Gladstone trouble. Though the result has not been disclosed, it is believed the strikers were made to realise that coal must be supplied for steamers’ refrigerators, particularly in view of the farmers’ attitude at Gladstone.

“TAKE ADVANTAGE" A SECRETARY’S ADVICE CARGO CAN BE SACRIFICED Received Oct. 26, 9.10 p.m. BRISBANE, Oct. 26. Speaking at an open-air meeting, the acting-State Secretary of the Australian Seamen’s Union declared that if tho strike committee thought it could win the fight by refusing to coal and sacrificing a few thousand tons of cargo they would refuse to coal. It was the duty of the working classes to tako advantage of the opportunity.

FOUR LOYAL SHIPS ARRIVAL AT MELBOURNE Received Oct. 26. 9.10 p.m. MELBOURNE, Oct. 26. During the past five days four British ships, with crows totalling over a thousa’nd, have arrived. Despite all the efforts of the strikers the crews remain loyal. NEW ORGANISATION TO EE CONSIDERED TO-DAY CONSIDERABLE OPPOSITION Received Oct. 26, 9.10 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 26. A stop-work meeting of seamen tomorrow will consider, besides strike matters, a proposal to form a new organisation. Several officials of tho local seamen’s union are opposed to the proposal. They consider it would weaken then own organisation which they claim to be very strong. The feeling among tho rank and file seems to be that while still in sympathy with the strikers the latter’s claims are being given too much attention at the expense of tho local organisation. TWO PILOTS IN DISGRACE DECLARED ‘ ’ BLACK’ ’ Received Oct. 26, 9.10 p.m. BRISBANE, Oct. 26. Over a hundred seamen belonging to tho steamers Port Auckland and Port Sydney were left behind when the steamers sailed. A meeting of strikers discussed the position of the two pilots who navigated the steamers out and declared them “black.” The cooks on the pilot steamer aro not allowed to cook their food. WATERSIDERS UNLOAD CERAMIC SUEVIC TAKES HELD-UP EGGS. Received Oct. 26, 11.35 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 26. The Ceramic arrived from Liverpool. Wharf labourers are discharging the cargo. The hold up in egg export by the strike is being relieved. The Sue vic is shipping 220,U00 dozen for London, ana the Esperance Bay, on November 11, will ship 150,000 dozen.

WESTRALIAN DISTRICT POLICE NO LEAVE POSSIBLE. Received Oct. 26, 10.30 p.m. FREMANTLE, Oct. 26. Tn view of the shipping position, all district police have been notified that under no circumstances must they leave the district till further notice.

DEFEAT ACKNOWLEDGED STRIKE TO BE DECLARED OFF V ANOTHER ATTEMPT IN THE

FUTURE STATEMENTS AT AUCKL * ND [Per Pre™ Association.J AUCKLAND, Oct. 26. The strike of British seamen in New Zealand is to be declared off, according to a speaker at the seamen’s demonstration last evening. In announcing tho decision ho stated that the seamen had decided to retreat, the reason being the number who remained on their vessels and would not join the strikers. He acknowledged that tho strikers had been beaten in tho struggle, but although they had lost this time he said they intended to renew the strike at some future period, when their forces would be numerically stronger. REPORT DENIED ALLIANCE OF LABOUR TO TAKE CONTROL ASSISTANCE LEVY TO BE CONTINUED AUCKLAND, Oct. 26. An absolute denial of tho statement that the shipping strike was off is given by a union representative, who, when seen, denied that the statement previously wired was made at the meeting on Saturday night. Mr F. Walsh, who presided, admitted that the position of the British seamen had been weakened, not by their own members, but by others working in New Zealand alongside with the farmers and business men, who had taken the places of the striking seamen as free labourers. Mr A. Lees advised the seamen in the event of being forced to retreat to do so in an organised manner, so that the British seamen would be able to make their organised presence felt at a later period. It was stated officially by tho chairman that the overseas dispute had been handed over to the Alliance of Labour unconditionally to be controlled by the A'Jliance. A levy of 10s a month on seamen and 2A por cent, on watersiders would be continued on behalf of the British seamen. STRIKE OFF IN WELLINGTON EVERYTHING QUIET. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Oct. 26. Though no official confirmation as to whether a strike declaration similar to that made in Auckland was made in Wellington was procurable to-day, the strike to all intents and purposes is practically off here. All ships which were held up have left port. No defections have been reported recently from crews. A number of strikers who have served terms of imprisonment were released from gaol on Saturday and others came out to-day. Home boats in port were under police protection on Saturday, but there was no disturbance. Everything was quiet today.

FORMATION OF NEW UNION A DEFINITE MOVE. SYDNEY, Oct. 26. A definite move is being made by certain leaders of the striking seamen to form a new union. The aim of the promoters is to persuade tho seamen to repudiate their own union and join the new organisation. The proposed union will embrace the strikers in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada. A significant aspect is a proposal by a section of the strikers that a high executive officer of the Australian Seamen’s Union be appointed the principal organiser, with headquarters in London.

THREAT AGAINST MR. BRUCE LABOUR LEADER’S DECLARATION MELBOURNE, Oct. 26. Speaking on the Yarra Bank, Mr Garden, secretary of tho New South Wales Labour Council, said that if Mr S. M. Bruce put his hand on Walsh or any other Labour leader the strikers would put their hands on Mr Bruce. Either this or next week there would be certain developments which he would not at present disclose. DEMODOCUS SAILS FULL CREW ON BOARD SYDNEY, Oct. 26. The steamer Demodocus has sailed manned with a full crew. STEAMERS LEAVE BRISBANE MANNED BY SKELETON CREWS. BRISBANE, Oct. 26. The steamers Port Auckland and Port Sydney sailed for Sydney, manned by skeleton crews.