TEST CASE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18481, 8 September 1925, Page 9

TEST CASE.

SEAMAN ARRESTED.

MELBOUBNE OWNERS' ACTION.

(XCOTALUX ACT Si CA3IJS ASBOCXIS3OS.)

MELBOUBNE, September 7.

A seaman from the steamer Port Kembla has been arrested on a charge of continued disobedience to lawful commands. It is stated that this will be a test case. The payment of all allotment money has been "stopped, and summonses will be issued against all strikers, numbering about 500, if the test case succeeds. So far, Sydney shipowners have not decided on the question of issuing writs against the strikers. It is alleged that about 1000 in Sydney have laid themselves open to prosecution by refusing, duty. IF SHIPS SAUL. WILL BE DECLARED BLACK. (AUSTRALIAN ASD K.Z CABLB ASSOCIATION) (Received September Bth, 12.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, September 7. Mr Garden, addressing the strikers, said that every ship that got away would have to sail to its home port direct, because by touching any other port in Australia she would automatically become black.

A meeting of the Overseas Shipping Representatives' Association lengthily discussed tho strike and the question of proceeding against tho strikers, but adjourned without decision.

CAPE TOWN INCIDENT.

WHY STEAMER PUT BACK.

(BBDTBE'a TELEGBAJisO

CAPE TOWN, September 6,

The explanation of the Sophocles incident is that the crew, not having disclosed, their attitude to the owners, decided if possible to continue the voyage.

As soon as the vessel put to sea the crew intimated that thoy sympathised with the strikers, and wore not prepared to take out the vessel, which consequently put back. ' WILL WORK SHIPS. SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCERS. OFFER TO GOVERNMENT. (AUBTBAUAX AKD ».Z CABLB ASSOCIATION.) (Received September 7th, 11.5 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, September 7. There are now eleven vessels idle in Table Bay. The executive committee of tho South African- Agricultural Union assembled at Pretoria is seriously concerned with the strike, as owners of produce loaded at Union ports. They are prepared to give the Government every assistance in securing the early dispatch of the boats, oven to the extent of volunteering services to enable the ships to reach their destinations.

IN N.Z. PORTS.

ORGANISED SUPPORT.

DEMONSTRATION AT AUCKLAND (FBESS ASSOOATIOIf TIUSQBAM.) AUCKLAND, September 7. At a meeting of Auckland seamen in the Strand Theatre yesterday afternoon two motions expressing sympathy with the British seamen in Auckland who arc on strike were passed. Those present pledged themselves to give their moral and financial support to the strikers in their fight against wage reduction. A procession of 300 seamen marched up Queen street to the Strand Theatre, headed by tho Watersidors' Band, various differently-worded and improvised paper banners being carried, calling for support for the seamen's cause. Mr R. Semple said the sooner the. British seamen made a presentation of their president (Mr Havelock Wilson) t& the employers the better for themselves.

"These men have got to win their fight, because if they win wo will win also," said Mr J. Pnrtcll. "It is the duty of the true unionists of this country to see they get a holiday and aro well fed until they win out." A collection for British seamen on strike realised £l6. The seamen on strike have refused to 1 Tcsumio duty until the fil a month deducted from their wages has been conceded. TEST CASE PENDING. PROCEEDINGS AGAINST BENICIA CREW. (PaESB ASSOCIATION TILXGRAV.) AUCKLAND, September 7. The crews of the steamers Waimana and Matakana refused to tako tho vessels to sea, and both vessels have joined Auckland's idle fleet, due to the strike of British seamen. The captain of the steamer Benicia has received instructions to take proceedings against tho crew, who refused duty. Proceedings, will no doubt be taken as a test case to govern any futuro action which may be taken against other crews on strike. SUMMONSES SERVED. SEAMEN AT NEW PLYMOUTH. (P£SB3 ASSOCIATION TBLBGBAIi.) NEW PLYMOUTH, September 7. The strike situation at the port of New Plymouth took a more serious turn to-day, when 29 members of the crew of the C. and D. steamer Port Dunedin

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were served with summonses to appear hLm on ch arges of continued wilful ™™> - ence of commands, and 2Z ♦ - g With other members of the voyage lmPed ° the P r °g re3S of thc stand* i Ship ? Wner3 are taking a firm accept ° f the men ' S rcfusal . t0 Port Dun *•' and the Bcamen on the their U* B and the Dorset were given morrow th?* 1 .?? board To ' * lU have to find food for