SHIPPING TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1925, Page 3

SHIPPING TROUBLE.

[Australia A N.Z. Cable Association.] STRIKE SITUATION WORSE. (Received this day at 12 noon). LONDON. September I. The shipping situation at Southampton and Bristol grows increasingly complex. Inquiries at the head offices of the companies elicited the statements: " We are hoping for the best." The signing on ol the new crews for Idle Majestic. Ailaza and Pinko is pro- ' (ceding slowly. At Southampton the strike has J spread, five liners being nflcctcd. Ihe 1 crew of the Edinburgh Castle due to sail for South Africa mi I'Tiday, struck, also tie crew of the Royal Mail liner Araguaya. One hundred and sixty of the engine room staff and forty deck hands on the Majestic have given notice of withdrawal. Iml the White Star management is confident the Majestic will sail to-morrow, despite the diffietdties. The strike movement among I lull seamen was pressed vigorously to-day bv the unofficial strike committee. Various docks were picketed. The steamship Melville, engaged in the West African frade. was unable to obtain a crew. The .situation is generally more threatening. . SHIPOWNERS’ OFFER. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 0. The Deputy Chairman of the Overseas Shipowners’ Asociation states that British shipowners in the belief that if the men return to their ships and resume duty not- later than noon on Friday next, shipowners will he willing to waive their legal rights against the strikers and agree that no other punishment ho enforced. I repeat that we tan not and will not make any departure from the National Maritime Board's rates, and that no settlement will be made through Uio Australian .Seamen's Union, os shipowners will not deviate from the constitutional accepted method, dealing with British seamen’s wages and conditions. In the event of the men not returning on Friday, the offer will bo withdrawn. It was stated the local executive of British seamen had decided to reject the offer. COMMENT OX MR BRUCE’S ACTfOX. (Received this dav at, 12 30 p.m.) LONDON. Kept. 1. The “Daily Herald’’ says Mr Bruce Iras frightened the Commonwealth inti giving him power to recruit special police for the purpose of deporting sliike leaders. This will probably oblige all who value free institutions to take a stand alongside those against whom these measures are directed. Mr Bruce's Government will force a crisis that will alarm the electors into voting for them. 11l so doing. they incur a grave peril. They art- putting dangerous ideas into the heads of unbalanced people, and forcing reasonable men and women to ask themselves whether it is not necessary r-i he prepared to use violence against violence. They have embarked on a perilous course, whereof none can forsco the end. UNION SECRETARY'S ADVICE. AIRUBOIRNK. Sept. 2. Mr Grayudler, General Secretary of , tin Australian Workers’ Union, lias issued a manifesto warning unionists ( against embarking on a general strike , ti resist' the deportation of Walsh and | .1 olianseii. He declares that by so doing they will play into the hands of tlm Federal Government, who would seize the opportunity to force an early election, with, the odds against Labour. Air Grayudler hopes the La- 1 bourites will display sanity and disci- ( pliue, and refuse to lo stampeded, hut await the issue at the elections, which ( in any ease, must be held in a few , months. Some union leaders mean- I lime niiglif have been deported hul • Labour in power could speedily reme- ( dy the injustice )>crpeti'ated hv the j present Federal Government. , STRIKE BREAKERS . i (Received this day at 12.30 p.m.l l CAPETOWN. Sept. 2. Nothing is known here of the pro- l posal to ship Lascars from Bombay as I strike breakers. The I*. and O. representatives disbelieve the report. 1 but Union Case'll* officials say it is quite ' likelv such a step will la* taken by ibe 1 head office. Public feeling here ilikelv to lie unsympathetic to such a i development, particularly in view ol j the colour prejudice. AFRICAN STRIKE NEWS. CAPETOWN. Sept. 2. The shrike situation is not materially 1 altered. The crews of twelve steamers arc definitely striking. ’1 be majority are at Durban. Work is proceeding nnrmallv at Capetown. the dockers responding to appeals by several Chambers of Commerce for prompt action t.(> relieve lie* situation the Government declare they will not iuteifere i-n an industrial dispute in which neither party are South African 'mt they are willing to assist towards a settlement if requested hv h:tk parlies without prejudice. There appears m possibility, however, of a round Dibit conference between shipning companies and strikers, as llu* former declare they are unable to fall in with, the suggestion. They point nut the trouble really resolves itself into »■ dispute between t.he men and their own unions, and not between the men ail'd the conipnn-