MONTEREY DECLARED “BLACK”

Evening Star, Issue 21747, 15 June 1934, Page 8

MONTEREY DECLARED “BLACK”

AUCKLAND ECHO OF AMERICAN STRIKE TAXIS SHUN WHARF CREW DISCHARGE PERISHABLE CARGO [P»x Uni tub Fxass Association.] AUCKLAND, Juno 15. , The Oceanic Company’s liner Monterey berthed at tho Prince’s wharf at about 8.30 a.m. A call was made for labour, but nobody responded. It is understood that the crew will discharge the perishable cargo in co-operation with the fruit importers’ employees. Taxis and carriers shunned the vicinity of the wharf, with the result that tho passengers disembarking had to look after themselves. In one instance the police commandeered a taxi in the city and took it to the wharf to pick up a fare. It is learned that the majority of the crew are non-unionist, but, contrary to propaganda circulated here yesterday, the captain, officers, and engineers, are the ship’s ordinary complement. A large contingent of uniformed and plain - clothes police, including a mounted squad, are on duty on or near the wharf. Tho passengers express surprise at tho hostile attitude towards the ship in Auckland.

LOADED BY NON-UNIONISTS REASON FOR REFUSAL TO WORK MONTEREY TO SAIL TO-NIGHT [Pm Unit»d Prbss Association.] AUCKLAND, June 15. Because tho cargo was loaded ’by non-unioil longshoremen, and tho crew consists of free labourers, the Auckland watersiders to-day ignored the call for labour to discharge the Monterey, which, laden with about 700 tons of general merchandise for Auckland, berthed at 8.30. The all-white liner was completely black to the eyes of the watersiders. In addition, the regular taxis and carriers shunned the wharf anti its vicinity, and the problem of meeting passengers’ requirements was left to a few private taxis and cars. The ship’s crew, supplemented by about ten free labourers, began discharging the cargo under considerable difficulties. During the morning a motor truck, when being unloaded, slipped from the slings at the critical moment, and disappeared over the side of the wharf. A strong police guard was on, or near, the wharf before . the ship arrived. and it was maintained. Tlie wharf was closed to the public, and about five hundred people spent the morning idly watching developments from Quay street. Radio advices received by the Monterey last night indicate the possibility of settlement of the trouble on the Pacific Coast, but whatever happens it is intended that the Monterey shall clear Auckland for Sydney at 10 tonight. DUE AT SYDNEY DN MONDAY TO BE DECLARED “ BLACK ” Prew Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY. June 15. (Received June 15, at 11 a.m.) 'The Monterey is due at Sydney on Monday. She will be declared ‘‘ black ” by the Labour Council. The Seamen’s Union reported to the council that during the Pacific Coast watersiders' strike non-unionists loaded the Monterey. The Watersiders’ Unions have been called upon to refuse to handle the Monterey’s cargo. Steps are also being taken to have the “ black ” ban spread to Melbourne, or any other port on tho Australian coast which the Monterey may visit. SITUATION TENSE AT 'FRISCO Passengers by the Monterey say the situation at San Francisco and Los Angeles was tense because of the strike. # There were strong police guards everywhere on tho waterfront,

and the passengers on arrival from ’Frisco were taken to the ship’s side by railway train, and experienced no difficulty. On the harbour launches were flying about in every direction, and some contained strike pickets trying to prevent free labour being put on a ship. The crux of the dispute was the union’s demand for “ a closed shop.” The companies had indicated that they would agree to practically all the other demands, but would pot concede to the unions’ privilege of selecting the labour. Mr E. S. Walker, passenger traffic manager of the Oceanic liner, said the dispute was now in the Government’s hands. Ho mentioned that some of the crew of the Monterey who walked off were Australians who had families in Los Angeles. They were very foolish, because they would be deported within sixty days. THE TROUBLE EXPECTED A message -yesterday stated: —The Matson liner Monterey, which is duo at Auckland from Los Angeles at 7 o’clock to-morrow morning, has been declared “ black ” by_ a body styled the Seamen’s Organising Committee and by the Auckland committee of the Communist Party, both of which have issued pamphlets advocating support for the American waterside strike on the Pacific coast. It is proposed to berth the Monterey at the Prince’s wharf. It is not known whether the members of the Waterside Workers’ Union will answer the call for labour which will be mad© at 7.45 a.m. The action taken by the waterside is expected to have an important bearing on subsequent developments, but no information was available to-night regarding the steps to bo taken if the unionists refuse to work the ship. _ An injunction to “ support a mass picket ” is given m the circular issued by the Seamen’s Committee. Copies of the circular have been brought under the notice of the police, and suitable precautionary measures have been taken. Whether members of the public desirous of meeting passengers will be allowed access to the wharf is a point to be determined in the light of developments. A deputation from . the Seamen’s Committee waited on the various taxicab organisations to invite effective support for the ban which the committee has placed on the Monterey. As most of the taxicabs in Auckland are operated by ownerdrivers, it is expected they will be reluctant to risk exposing their vehicles to possible damage by plying for biro in the vicinity of the waterfront. There is a taxicab stand in Quay street, and at least one taxicab organisation proposes not to place vehicles there tomorrow.