DECLARED OFF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19441, 29 October 1925, Page 7

DECLARED OFF

SEAMEN’S STRIKE IN NEW ZEALAND MEN TO RETURN TO SHIPS UGLY INCIDENTS IN AUSTRALIA [Per Press Association. J WELLINGTON, Oct. 28. On Friday last the overseas seamen agreed to hand over their dispute to the Alliance of Labour. The Alliance immediately communicafed with the overseas shipping companies’ representatives and-requested that a conference be held with a view to considering ways and means by which the dispute would be adjusted and the troulKe terminated. A reply was received from the overseas shipping companies’ representatives stating that they had already decided the terms of settlement at a conference convened by the Prime Minister, and that no good purpose would be served by a conference with the Alliance of Labour. The question was considered by a meeting of the National Council of the Alliance of Labour yesterday morning, and it was decided that in view of the present position of the dispute they would advise the overseas seamen to return to their ships. This was placed before a meeting of seamen yesterday afternoon, and the recomendations of the council were agreed to. The recommendations of the Alliance of Labour are being telegraphed to the other ports of the Dominion, and in the meantime negotiations are in progress in regard to the returning of the men to their ships.

MORE SAILINGS EROM DIFFERENT PORTS By Telegraph—Per Press Aren.—Copyright. SYDNEY, Oct. 28. Although there is no sign of the ending of the the position in Sydney is steadily improving and shipowners are gradually regaining sufficient command of the situation to despatch vessels. Last night the steamer Christiansbourg sailed for the South Seas manned by a full crew. Tho watersiders continue to work all vessels. PERTH, Oct. 28. As the result of the seamen’s strike and the embargo placed on Fremantle by owners less than fifty per cent, of the watersiders there arc working and those working arc averaging only fifty shillings weekly in wages. MELBOURNE, Oct. 28. The steamer Sophocles sailed for Sydney. Her crew who were engaged in South Africa were composed of sons of farmers. It is expected that when the ship reaches Sydney she will be hr', i up, as tUe crew signed on for the voyage out only. The. Oronsay and Diogenes have sailed manned by full crews.

There are indications that the support previously given to strikers is failing.

MR. LANG UNDECIDED A NON-COMMITTAL REPLY SYDNEY, Oct. 28. Questioned whether he would bring pressure to bear on the Lumpers ’ Union to coal the idle ships, also as the primary producers were prepared to do tho work, would he sec that ample protection was afforded them, Mr Lang replied that the matter was receiving attention. Nothing hopeful could bo gained by asking questions at this juncture. THE CRISIS AT GLADSTONE FARMERS TO COAL MAHIA BRISBANE, Oct. 28. During a conference between waterside workers and seamen and shipping companies’ representatives at Gladstone, Captain Williams, of the steamer Mahia, said that the strike committee had broken its promises respecting coaling the vessel. He had delayed coaling until Wednesday, but did not think the farmers could be put off any longer. Coal was available and the farmers had been promised ample police protection. The matter was then allowed to stand over until Wednesday night, after the strikers had agreed to withdraw’ the pickets.

The farmers of the district have been circularised urging that every loyal citizen should Assist to protect voluntary workers at Gladstone to load coal. It is understood that, if necessary, a number of farmers, from 250 to 1000, will go to Gladstone. The attitude of the strike committee towards British vessels with coloured, crews appears to be undecided. There is no indication whether the committee intends to enforce the decision of the strikers that all British ships entering Brisbane should be declared black. It has been disclosed that the crews of tugs state that they will refuse to handle any ship on which an embargo is placed.

UNIONISTS MAY COAL MAHIA THREATENED TROUBLE OVERCOME. Received Oct. 28, 1j.45 p.m. BRISBANE, Oct. 28. Following interviews with tho union leaders by Mr. Theodore at Gladstone, and by the Premier at Brisbane, it is anticipated lhe coaling of the Mtihia will :•« done by the unionists and the 1 nrcat'-.ne<l serious trouble between them and the farmers overcome.

EXCITEMENT AT FREMANTLE

STRIKERS AND AN AMBULANCE POLICE PREVENT RUSHING A STEAMER. FORCE AND ARGUMENT. Received October 28. 11.5 p.mFREMANTLE. Oct. 28. A couple of hundred strikers, head 1 ed by the secretary of the Seamen’s Union, took an ambulance to the steamer Karoola for the purpose of removing from the vessel to hospital a member of the crew injured in connection with the strike troubles. The police intervened and persuaded the men to abide by the decision of three doctors called to examine the injured man. The doctors reported that lie was receiving treatment equal to what he would get in hospital. The strikers, ignoring a promise to refrain from rushing the ship, attempted to do so when the gangway was lowered for the doctors. The police and the ship’s officers ejected them.

CRISIS AT INKERMAN FARMERS FACED WITH RUTN MAY TAKE ACTION AGAINST STRIKERS. BRISBANE, Oct. 28. The position at Inkerman is alarming, and unless relief is forthcoming this week the farmers will be faced with starvation and utter ruin. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce it was decided to telegraph the Premier declaring that his protection was demanded, otherwise it was feared farmers, who are now desperate, would take matters into their own hands.

WAR OFFICE MEAT HELD UP

OTHER CONTRACTS PREJUDICED. Received Oct. 28, 11.45 p.m. BRISBANE, Oct. 28. Mr. Bruce wired the Prime Minister stating that Sir Joseph Cook had cabled that representatives of the War Office kind the contractors saw him and ;he Queensland Agent-General and complained that some of the held up meat was part of tho British Government contract. Sir Jas. Cook added that such action would prejudice the contract now pending, and tho Argentine might secure it if something were not done to end the hold-up. Mr. Bruce added that the Government regarded the matter las of tho utmost importance to Australia. He asked the Premier to do all possible to get tho meat despatched. Mr. McCormack, in reply, said he would be glad if Mr. P>ruce would suggest what tho Government could do any more than the Commonwealth authorities to end tho trouble created by the strike of tho British seamen.

ZEALANDIA TIED UP OWNERS’ REPLY TO JOB CONTROL GUP VISITORS DISAPPOINTED. Received October 28, 10.30 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 28. Huddart Parker Co. decided to tie up the steamer Zealandia on the eve of leaving for Melbourne with a heavy passenger list en route for the Cup meeting. This action is the outcome of the steamship owners’ conference, and a reply to the seamen’s job control methods in tying up the Ulimaroa and other vessels. It was considered that owing to the congestion of shipping at Fremantle it would not be advisable to send the Zealandia on her western trip Many intending Cup visitors were sorely disappointed. DEPORTATION BOARD ADJOURNS TILL MONDAY. Received Oct. 28, 11.45 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 28. The Deportation Boiard sat to hear the case against Jacob Johansen. Mr. Watt appealed for an adjournment till the finding in the Walsh case was known. The chairman, refusing the applicati' said they had finished with Walsh but he could not dielose the finding. There was no intention of preventing Walsh testing the validity of the proceedings of the Court. Mr. Watt then withdrew. Mt Meagher, counsel for Joh , i*'>-*n, appealed for an adjournment till ths Federal elections were over. The Court refused this, but granted an adjournment till Monday.

ALL SUITER

STRIKE AFFECTS WAGES. [Per Press Asscciation.] WELLINGTON, Oct. 28. At tho Harbour Board meeting tonight. the chairman stiid the effect of the shipping strike on the business done at the port was strongly emphasised in the tonnage return for tho month. It showed that the tonnage of trading vessels arriving was 182,341 tons, against 223,859 tons for the corresponding month last year. Departures were also greatly reduced. Imports of general chrgo comprised 113,821 tons, against 153,598 last year. The wages of the men were also affected. Casual labour dropped from £4 3s a week to £1 19s 7d. All had suffered. “BLACK” SHIPS’ TACTICS TUG HANDS FORESTALLED BRISBANE, Oct. 28. The threat of tug hands not to handle “black” ships was forestalled when three British vessels berthed at Pinkcn-

ba wharf instead of proceeding upriver. These vessels were thus enabled to leave port without the aid of tugs. Owing to the steps taken quietly in Sydney more than a week ago by shipowners perishable cargo on more than one steamer held up in North Queensland will be preserved. The collier Corrimal cleared several days ago for New Caledonia with a full cargo of coal, but on leaving Sydney sailed north. She will coal the steamer Paparoa off Townsville and then return to coal the steamer Port Hardy off Bowen.

TROUBLE IN SYDNEY PICKETS STONE THE POLICE. SYDNEY, Oct. 28. Following on the arrest of a strikers’ picket for stoning two seamen who were returning to their ship at night, the police were stoned by three other •pickets. Subsequently over three hundred strikers assembled and marched to Circular Quay. All the police in the city area were hurried on to the scene in motor-cu , and met and dispersed the strikers. Five arrests were made.