SYDNEY SEAMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 1, 2 January 1936, Page 9

SYDNEY SEAMEN

HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT

NEW ZEALAND CEEVVS

United Pros Association--rty EU-cirir Trie graph—Copyright. SYDNEY, January 1.

Nearly 2000 seamen reviewed the strike position and empowered the strike leader Mr. J. Keenan, i£ he saw fit, to begin negotiations with the owners for a speedy and successful termination of the shipping dispute. The meeting authorised the strike committee to collaborate more closely with the Australian Council of Trade Unions ■in an endeavour to reach a settlement.

Crews of colliers were instructed to remain on strike till further notice.

Delegates from the steamers Hauraki and Kairanga, which are on New Zealand articles, addressed the meeting in regard to two vacancies, a member of the crew of the Hauraki having been injured and a seaman of the Kairanga having become ill. The delegates assured the meeting that these vessels would not sail with volunteers or licensed substitutes. The meeting passed a resolution declining to man any ship on New Zealand articles and pledging to support the crews of the New Zealand vessels. The owners of both vessels announced that the vacancies will be filled and the ships will sail, probably today.

The meeting discussed the removal of Mr. Jacob Johnson from the general secretaryship, which was approved. Mr. Johnson was not present, but sent a letter explaining the reason for his absence and warning the men that the strike had no hope of success now that the Government had brought seamen under the Transport Workers' Act.

At Melbourne, following the Government's enforcement of licensing seamen, a mass meeting of seamen decided to continue the strike and endeavour to develop a general industrial upheaval. The meeting endorsed the action of the Sydney branch in replacing Mr. Johnson as general secretary.