SEAMEN'S STRIKE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19443, 31 October 1925, Page 9

SEAMEN'S STRIKE

RESUMPTION BECOMING GENERAL SPASMODIC OUTBREAKS QUEENSLAND POSITION NOT SATISFACTORY. Except for spasmodic stoppages, the shipping position is back to normal. The situation in Queensland is not satisfactory and collisions between fanners and strikers are still feared. WATERSIDERS STAND OUT NO INTENTION TO INTERFERE. Received October 30, 7.15 p.m. MELBOURNE, Oct. 30. The president of the Waterside Workers’ Federation denies statements that the Federation intended to block overseas vessels because they are cutting out Fremantle. They did not propose to hold up any vessel. They intended to avoid becoming involved in the strike as far as possible. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MAHIA’S REFRIGERATORS STARTED STRIKERS’ FUTILE ACTION. Received October 30, 10.30 p.m. BRISBANE, Oct. 30. The Mahia has now sufficient coal to get her refrigerators started. On Friday seamen hauled coal-filled trucks a quarter of a mile back from the wharf to prevent it being put aboard. Horses had to be used to bring it to the wharf again. The Railway Department, claiming that it had filled its contract in the first haulage, refused to do the job over again.

A DISTURBING INCIDENT STRIKERS BLOCK WHARF. FARMERS THREATEN TROUBLE. Received October 30, 10.30 p.m. BRISBANE, Oct. 30. A disturbing strike incident is reported in connection with the coaling of the steamer Port Hardy, which has a cargo of meat for the British War Office aboard at Bowen. Pins were removed from a number of trucks standing on the line with coal ready to be placed aboard. The coal fell on the line, blocking all traffic to the wharf. The Port Hardy has only a limited quantity of coal for the refrigerators, and in the event of these not being kept working, farmers will lose thousands sterling worth of meat. The farmers, believing the strikers to blame, are incensed and threaten trouble. They wired the Premier demanding that immediate action be taken to enable the steamer to coal in safety.

POSITION IN SYDNEY GENERAL RESUMPTION. Received October 30, 10.30 p.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 30. A meeting of the Seamen’s Union today discussed among other matters the position of the Ulimaroa, and decided to man the vessel forthwith, understanding that the question of overtimes should be settled by negotiation at the earliest possible date. It is considered probable as a result that the Ulimaroa will be iin commission again soon. Regarding the Zealandia, it was reported that the company had explained that she was tied up because of lack of facilities at Fremantle, and the meeting accepted the explanation. Twenty striking members of the crew of the steamer Min, including fourteen West African negroes, were sentenced at Newcastle to seven days’ imprisonment after being on remand for a month.

The steamer Ceramic is coaling and the Port Auckland filled Her bunkers without trouble.

AT FREMANTLE

POSITION QUIET. Received October 30, 10.30 p.m. FREMANTLE, Oct. 30. The strike position is quiet. TROUBLE AT LYTTELTON WATERSIDERS REFUSE TO UNLOAD PHOSPHATES. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 30. The steamer Wonganella was held up at Lyttelton to-day through the refusal of watersiders to accept a call for labour unless paid three shillings an hour. The steamer has been dis- v charging Nauru phosphates with the Union Company’s grab, but the cargo is now low in the holds and the watersiders are required to trim it to the grab. The award rate for this class o? work is 2s. 7d. per hour, but when a call was made this morning the men asked for 35., which was refused’ Calls made during the day met no response. A meeting of the disputes’ commit-

tee was held, but failed to effect * settlement. WAIPORI SAILS FIREMEN’S COMPLAIN* ATTENDED TO. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Oct. 80. The Union Company’s steamer Wai pori, after being delayed for 24 houn by the action of the crew in refusing to take the ship to sea, left for Westport this evening. The vessel was to , have sailed last evening, but the firehard, and the overflow found its way | into the men’s quarters. Only minor repairs were needed, and on completion the ship sailed.

TWO COMMONWEALTH LINERS INVOLVED CREWS GO BACK ON WORD. Received Oct. 31, 1.25 a.m. MELBOURNE, Oct. 30. Two more Commonwealth liners art involved in the strike. Thirty-five out of eighty-eight of the crew of the Napier, after giving an assurance of loyalty, and thirty-three of the Port Campbell ’s crew of eighty-five, joined the strikers. It is hoped with the balance of the crews to be able to carry the vessels to Sydney.