THE SHIPPING STRIKE.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19663, 24 August 1935, Page 7

THE SHIPPING STRIKE.

MEETING CLOSES IN UPROAR. RESULT OF VOTE UNKNOWN. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SYDNEY, Aug. 23. No decision was reached by the mass meeting of seamen in Sydney to-day and the meeting closed in uproar after having been adjourned until to-morrow morning. As far as can he ascertained the militants and the moderates were almost equally represented at the meeting, which was most unwieldly. Dissent with the chairman’s ruling was recorded on two occasions.

Mr Jacob Johnson, Federal secretary, submitted a motion for the acceptance of the shipowners’ terms to the effect that if the ships were immediately manned no notice would be taken of indifferent discharges providing the men offered were recognised as capable. An amendment was moved for a rejection of the terms, and instructing the committee of management again to submit to the compulsory conference the seamen’s terms. Although this was described by the chairman, Air W. Clarke, Federal president, as a direct negation of ihe motion, both were discussed together in a very noisy fashion.

Officials found it impossible to ascertain ihe true strength of the vote owing to the pandemonium and, it is alleged, owing to some of the men passing the tellers on throe or four occasions. The chairman refused to announce the result of the vote and the meeting ended in disorder.

SHIPOWNERS SURPRISED. VESSELS READY FOR SEA. THE WANGANELLA HELD UP. United Press Assn.- copyright SYDNEY, Aug. 23. The. shipowners were greatly surprised at the' outcome of the seamen’s meeting, as practically all the affected companies had their vessels ready for sea. 'Pbe Wan can el la, which was expected lo sail for Wellington this evening, did not do so. She may, if circumstances permit, sail to-morrow at 8 p.m. A call for a crew for the islands steamer Malaita to-day failed. The steamer Omana sailed for New Zealand via Melbourne.

USE OF FREE LABOUR. DECISION OF OWNERS. GOVERNMENT AID SOUGHT. United Press Assn.—■’•’lor Tel. Cnpvrlcriit ■SYDNEY, Aug. 23. It is reliably stated to-night that if a settlement is not reached 10-mor-row the shipowners will proceed to engage free labour. Before doing so, however, they will seek the assistance of the Commonwealth Government, in affording protection for the wharves and for the homes of men so employed.

VOLUNTEER CREWS. STEAMER SAILS FROM SYDNEY. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Aug. 2i, d .35 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 23. The James Patrick steamer Carlisle, manned by a volunteer crew, sailed lale last night for Melbourne. Two other vessels are expected lo sail to-day with volunteer crews.