END OF STRIKE

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19816, 21 February 1936, Page 7

END OF STRIKE

RUSH BACK TO WORK. AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN’S DISPUTE. STORMY ME.ETING OF UNION. 1 United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrightSYDNEY, Feb. 20. After one of the etormleat meetings of the Seamen’s Union held In the past three months more than 3000 Bydney members by a majority of two to one to-day decided to resume work. An immediate rush by men anxious to secure licences followed. It Is stated that returning strikers will be re-employed on equal terms with volunteers. Addressing the mCfeting Mr J. Keenan, general secretary of the Australian Union, said that because of the “sabotage tactics” employed by other unions, and the failure of those wh*> should have assisted to give their moral support; the strike had been de - feated. It was futile to carry on in tile face of the position created. “ Johnson, our former secretary, told us that in the beginning and he got booted out. What about it now?” was the cry from sections of men- in the hall. A motion was passed, which, in addition to recommending the men to return to work, expressed confidence in the leadership of Mr Keenan and the strike committee. Mr Keenan laid stress on the necessity for getting back to work as an organised body. At a meeting last evening Mr Keenan attempted lo have the resolution passed to return to work and, at the same time to express continued confidence in *he strike-committee. The meeting favoured resuming work, but refused lo carry the vote of confidence in the strike committee. Attempts were made to rush the platform and free fights broke out, culminating in complete disorder. LICENSING SYSTEM URGED. VOLUNTEERS TO BE RETAINED. £120,000 LOST IN WAGES. Un’ited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Feb. 21, 11.0 a.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 21. Prominent shipowners declare that a licensing system on the waterfront would ensure peace lor the future. They estimate that 75 per cent. oT the volunteers will be retained. “ We must stand by the men who came to our aid,” one,said, “ although a number of these men are content with having broken tlie strike and are prepared, even anxious, to return to their pre-strike occupations, tout a large percentage of former seamen who gave us long and faithful service are unlikely to be re-employed. “ We estimate that the strikers lost at least £120,000 in wages.”