SHIPPING DISPUTES

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1925, Page 2

SHIPPING DISPUTES

UJBIKALIAN AND N.t. CAULS ABMOOiA'i'ION. THE BOLSHEVIK DRIP. ENGLISH COMMENT. LONDON, January 14. Commenting on Mr Bruce’s cabled statement regarding the shipping dispute. the "Morning Post” editorially says: “ Ever since Mr Tom Walsh became Secretary of the Australian Seamen’s Union, the whole of the shipping of Australia lias been a prey to ceaseless agitation, despite the fact that the seamen in the Australian ships receive more favourable terms than those of any other country. We suppose one reason why the Bolsheviks have such a grip cm the shipping industry in Australia is that the area of their operations is circumscribed, and that action taken in one port, sooner or later, affects all the others. \\t any rate, they are now again in full blast with their activities. Their selfish behaviour is significant of the lengths to which unreasonable mem are prepared to go. AA’e hope Air Bruce, slow hut sure, will succeed in quelling this brazen tyrannical attempt to reduce the flourishing Commonwealth to the level of Communist Russia. Our experience is that the only course which appeals to the apostles of direct action is action of even a director kind.” AVILSON AND WALSH. LONDON, January 14. Mr Havelock Wilson, in the Journal of the National Sailors’ and Firemens’ Union, spiritedly answers Mr Tom Walsh’s article in the Australian Seamen’s Journal, criticising the British Union’s annual grizzle. Air Wilson says that Mr Walsh’s outburst is due to the fact that British seamen obtained a pound a month advance in wages syj the result of peaceful negotiations, in contrast to the methods of men who “ having an axe to grind and wanting cheap limelight, encourage tlie passing of windy resolutions.”

“ With all his opportunities,” asks Mr Wilson, “wlmt lias Walsh done for his organisation, which under Guthrie's regime was one. of the most respected in the world? Strikes arc now the order of the day. These are certainly not the desire of good unionists. The Australian Seamen’s Union is now an asylum for every ‘ scab ’ from Britain.” Air AA’ilson taunts Mr Walsh with being under the influence of “petticoat Government” and says: “The Australian longshoremen do not agree with Air AA’alsli. while the New Zealand Union is considering whether it is wise to continue its affiliation with a Union that is being run entirely along Bolshevik lines. “ Perhaps AH' Wnlsh may become wiser,” says Mr AA’ilson in conclusion. “ Failing that, his friends may decide that he shall have a long rest. At present lie imagines that lie is a great or Napoleon than his friend Trotsky.” PICK IND-UP PLACE. PARTIES STILL AA’K.AND LING. SYDNEY, January 14. The Waterside AVorkers’ Federation at a meeting decided to carry out the agreement with the Oversea Shipping Representatives that was reached at the round table conference, called by Air Bruce. - The seamen still maintain the attitude that they will not attend the Shipping -Masters’ Offices for engagements. and the outlook is blacker than ever. A meeting of seamen at Melbourne, after a lengthy debate, was evenly divided on the issue of picking-up places. The crew ol the Largs Bay have been given Iwenty-lour hours notice 01. dismissal, following on (he lailuio ol the management to obtain ccrlain additional members lor the crew. 'Pile seamen have now abandoned the Communist Hall, which they had specified as the picking-up place, and have named another place, which the owners have refused to recognise. TO SHOW CAUSE. AIELBOURNE, January 14. In the Federal Arbitration Court, Mr Justice Powers granted an order nisi calling upon the Federated Seamen’s Union to show cause why the registration of the Union should not he cancelled for participation in the sloping strike. AIR BRUCE’S DETERMINATION. AIELBOURNE, January 14. Following on a communication from Air Bruce (Federal Premier) to the Tasmanian Government,, it is now believed the Federal Government is prepared to go to any length to break the shipping strike,,and to prevent the isolation of Tasmania.