THE SHIPPING STRIKE

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 30 November 1925, Page 6

THE SHIPPING STRIKE

THE POSITION OVERSEAS. Pei Free* Association —Copyrigni. SYDNEY, November 25. The British seamen’s strike wafinally settled yesteruay afternoon. The terms of settlement provide for the payment of wages up' to the time of refusal of duty, and for the men to start again with a clean sheet. No wages will be paid for the time they remained on strike, and there will be no victimisation or fines. The men will be absorbed as ships offer. Those failing to be absorbed, are free to make application for return home as distressed seamen. LONDON, November 28. The shipowners, announcing the end of the strike in Australia, declare that the strikers’ loss in wages aggregates a very large sum. The dislocation of the services must be reflected in less employment for some time to come, as a number of steamers cannot return to Britain for several months. The only gainers by the strike have been foreign shipowners The losses exceed £2,000,000. MELBOURNE, November 28. Following on repeated instances of job control by the Australian Seamen’s Union, the Commonwealth Steamship Owners’ Federation has issued a warning that unless the agreement to abolish control is honoured, the owners will be compelled to take serious action in an endeavour to put an end to wanton and repeated violations of the agreement, which cannot be permitted to continue indefinitely. SYDNEY’, November 28. It is expected that the strike will be called off during the week-end. The seamen will meet to-day to consider the proposed terms, which have been kept secret, but which are understood to be as cabled last night. It is believed, however, that whether the reply of the owners is favourable or otherwise, the men will declare in favour of the resumption of work. Already numbers of strikers have rejoined their ships, in anticipation of the strike ending with the week-end. It is stated in shipping circles that the owners will make no concessions beyond agreeing to transport the men to their home ports, and the latter’s action in seeking a return to work virtually aniounts to unconditional surrender. Excqpt for a lew Communist agitators, who continue to support the strike the strikers are foresaken by the industrial leaders, and at many recent meetings the Reds have been howled down by the disillusioned men.BRISBANE. November 28. The Hift Napier arrived at Bowen, where the watersiders received word trem tile Transport Strike Committee that the vessel is “black,” and from the Wateraiders’ Executive in Melbourne that the ship is “white” and must be worked The local watersiders, however, decided to retuse to load the vessel. The Chamber of Commerce is taking •ctioii and has communicated with the Premier of Queensland, and with Mr Bruce, asking their assistance, as it is felt necessary to take strong action to suppress these strikes. It is anticipated that the farmers will come in from the country and load the ship. SYDNEY, November 28. The Marine Transport Group discussed the action to tie taken in connection with deportations, but failed to arrive at a decision and adjourned till Monday. LONDON, November 28. Colonel Amery and Mr Chamberlain conjointly invited the High Commissioners for India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Irish Free State, and Newfoundland, to’ attend the signing of the Locarno Pact at the Foreign Office on Tuesday. Sir Joseph Cook and Sir James Allen explain that they will be merely spectators. They are not signing, and are not committing the Dominions in an,, way.