SHIPPING TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1925, Page 3

SHIPPING TROUBLE.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] POSITION IN BRITAIN. LONDON, August 27. The Seamen’s Union asserts that t.lie strike has collapsed. The strikers officials, however, declare that a Strike Committee has been formed at Liverpool, where there are strong pickets operating. The steamers Canoptie and Adriatic are now held up. 'The strikers have also succeeded in stopping crews at Liverpool for the steamers Albania and Minnewaska, which are delayed at London - . Several steamers, including the Otaki, have left iamdon for Liverpool, where the crews refuse to unload the vessels. The strikers are confident of holding out for a long time. They are receiving assistance from the Stevedores, the dockers and lightermen. AVKLLINOTON HOLD-UP. WELLINGTON. August 2L The men on the Taimii and the Leitrim have now left their respective vessels. The sailing of both steamers has been definitely postponed. 'I he vessels will he moved into the stream to-morrow, when they will join the A ra wa. Regarding the Turn kina, this ship is not ready to sail, hut it is believed that when the time of departure arrives, the men will also leave this steamer. Regarding the steamer Athol, which is also in port, no trouble is anticipated with the crew, ns they are Chinese. Locally the position is regarded as serious, hut neither side will vouchsafe any information as to what will be the next move. The overseas seamen of the Federal Cov’s ship Leitrim came ashore, the whole crew, with the exception of the engineers and officers refusing to work. The position will lie more definite when tlfe loading has been completed. Other Home vessels in port are the Turakinn (N.Z. Shipping Coy), and the Tninui (Shaw Saville Coy). MAITK.NO DELAYED. SYDNEY, August 28. At noon the Maheno sailed after l>eing delayed two hours, by the late arrival of the second mate, who had gone ashore to bring aboard a sick member. Three firemen were late in returning, and all five were taken aboard by a launch, as the Maheno left the wharf. SPECIAL NEW POLICE FORCE MELBOURNE, Aug. 28. In the Federal House of Representatives a sensation was caused when Mr Watt announced that, following on the refusal of the New South Wales Government to allow the police force to take part in any deportation action the Federal Government proposed to bring in a Bill immediately to constitute a special Federal Police Force to carry out the deportation provision of the Federal Immigration Act. It is ascertained that the Federal Government proposes to take deportation proceedings against Mr Tom Walsh and Mr Johannsen. Tho Board will sit on Saturday. THE DEPORTATION BILL. MELBOURNE, Aug. 28. The Federal Police Bill aims at giving the Federal Government the power to carry out deportation provisions in the Immigration Act without calling upon the State Governments to take any executive action. In the Federal House of Representatives, Mr Charlton (I/abnur Lender), speaking emotionally, charged the Government with leaving the House completely in the dark as to the reasons behind the reloslution. Mr Bruce, in reply, said that the reasons would he explained during the second reading. The debate on the Bill provoked further dissention. and for fen minutes there was an astonishing uproar. Mr Bruce then moved the closure and a further din followed. The closure was carried. Later the original resolution, seeking leave to bring in the bill, was agreed to by 35 to 22. A motion that the standing orders 1 e suspended to enable the hill to pass all stages was also carried amid further disorderWhen the Senate met Senator Pearce moved at its rising that the Senate adjourn until Saturday. He explained that the motion was due to the N.S.W. Govrnment’s extraordinary attitude in refusing to allow its police to carry out Federal laws. The Government therefore found it necessary to introduce legislation creating special officers. The Chitral has arrived and is being worked by wntersiders. Mr Holloway (Secretary of the Trades Hall Council) stated the shipping dispute is now entirely in the iiandk of the British seamen themselves and that the Trades Hall Disputes Committee is not in charge of it in any way. MR LANG’S COMMENT. SYDNEY. Aug. 28. Mr Lung, N.S.W. Premier, commenting on the appointment of tho Deportation Board, said: “This Board would have power to deport any citizen of tho Commonwealth. The Federal Government lias power over immigration and emigration. Now it is claiming the right to deport citizens under any pretext that it chooses to raise. I do not believe that any court in the British Empire would sustain any such claim.” Certainly, he said, the States of Australia were not aware that their citizen rights would he so bartered when they had voted for tho Federation. Mr Lang concluded that, had Mr Bruce left tho matter alone he (Mr Lang) would venture to say that every thing would have I icon satisfactorily settled at an early date. The steps which Mr Bruce now threatens to take will only aggravate the situation, and will lead to an extension of the industrial turmoil. Mr Bruce can hardly expect the co-operation of the 'States when his policy is so manifestly crude and' disruptive. SEAMEN’S ENDEAVOR. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 29. It was stated in Union circles tonight on the best authority that should the strike of British seamen approach a point that indicated it might collapse all inter-Statc steamers would he stopped. The Australian seamen’s pur pose in mVpting such drastic action is said to be their determination to bring pressure upon the wharf labouicis, whose altitude has been so far noncommittal. Interviewed ,Johansen denied that he received a summons to attend the Doportntion Board. FEDERAL ACTION. MELBOURNE. August 28. The reason of Air Pearce’s motion in the Senate is to have the bill pass both Houses this week. The House of Representatives read a second time the Police Bill. Mr Bruce stated the Government were prepared to appeal to tho people for the hill’s justification. He emphasised that the Government would not tolerate insidious foreign propaganda which disturbed Australia iirnl temporarily paralysed its trade.

He also read Air Lang’s statement (cabled yesterday;. He said he had telegraphed to Air Lang asking him would lie support the Commonwealth in its action to preserve industrial peace, hut had received no reply. He then telegraphed the Premier’s office asking a similar question, the Premier’s Office replied. Lang’s statement could lie taken as a reply to the telegram. .MELBOURNE, August 29. The House of Representatives is sitting all night, dealing with the Police Bill. The closure will he applied at eight on Saturday morning and the, bill is expected to reach the Seriate when it meets at eleven.