SHIPPING TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1925, Page 3

SHIPPING TROUBLE.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association. 1

LEITRIM AT LYTTELTON. CM II ISTCi I CliCI I. Oct. 12. With .sever,al ol her crew shouting language wliieli would do justice to Billingsgate, and with object ioiudde remarks painted on the side of the ship in largo letters, the Leitrim arrived at Lyttelton this morning from Wellington. There were no police on board. Soon (|iieslions were living asked by the men such as: “Where arc the ILuorata’s men!'" and when they were told that about 50 of them had left the vessel, there v.as a general “Hear, hear,” accompanied by “(loud luck to them I" Rising above a general chatter on hoard, a voice could l.c heard saying. “Our ship will never sail, so show us the way to Terrace Caul.” When asked how it was that only 17 of the original crew of the Leitrim came to he on board, a fireman laughingly replied that it had all happeml through getting a free taxi ride at the expense of the company down to the wharf at Wellington on Thursday last. The fireman explained that the company, being under the erroneous Impression that the men were going back to work, bad collected them in tins city, gave them a free taxi ride, and put them on hoard ; hut, “There is nothing doing.“ he remarked. “What has happened to the remainder of the crow ” was another qu.-s----t ion. “They were left behind at Wellington," was tiie reply. “How many free labourers are on board?’’ inquired a man on tho wharf. “About 37,” was the reply, adorned with an unpleasant reference to their social status. “We had our breakfast in bed this morning,” said one of the strikers, “and there’s nothing wrong with having someone to wait upon you.” Shortly before noon the men were summoned to the bridge deck, where they were informed hv the captain that he intended to prosecute them for refusing duty on the high seas. The men replied that they were quite willing to work with their own men, hut they would rather go to gaol than work with “scabs.” When a call was made at ten o’clock by the formeman who puts on labour for Kinsey and Co., agents for tbe vessel. to handle her cargo, there was no demur. Six gangs, comprising about 50 men. were readily procured. 'Tills AIiAWA SAILS. WELLINGTON. Oct. 12. Superintendent Mcllvonov announces that the Shaw Savfll liner Arnwii will sail at I p.m. to-day for London, with free labour. Only eight members of the crew in gaol were willing to give a guarantee to work the vessel, and the remainder, uumlrering one hundred, are being left behind. So difficulty was experienced in obtaining the necessary free labour, and the men were placed aboard the vessel under police protection, without the slightest trouble. Other overseas vessels in port are being manned, and are also being worked by watersiden; under police protection.

The Shaw, Savill steamer' Arnwa. which lias been held lip in Wellington on account of tbe strike, and the crew of which has been spending a term in the Terrace (lard, sailed for London, with a full complement, mostly of free labour, tit 5.30 p.m. to-day. On her departure, the vc-scl carried only eight of I hose who are imprisoned, the remaining one hundred iefusing to comply with (bo terms of release advanced by the Companies. Under police protection, these eight men were conveyed to the shin about ■I p.m. There was no di-turhaiice on the vessel, or on the wharf.

With the departure of tic Arnwa. the strike position at Wellington appears to have nearly cleared, for the remaining oversea vessels in port are being worked without hindrance from the men. 'flip liernieia, from .Montreal and New York, berthed yesterday morning, and discharging operations commenced immediately. With the Arnwa went IHIt passengers, many of whom bad been held in Wellington since the commencement of the trouble. Two other overseas vessels, the Turn kina and Kent, are discharging in port at the present time. They are expected to lie completely nnlojtded by the end of this week. SIC AM EN SU.M.MONKI). CHRISTCHURCH, October 13. Summonses were served on eleven members of the Leitrim's crew this morning on charges of refusing duty on the voyage from Wellington to Lyttelton. LOSING CONFIDENCE. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, October 13. Following on the shipowners advertisement for a crew it is expected that several ships will sail in the next lew days. One of tho most important aspects of the situation, in view of this call for labour, is the attitude of the Wntersiders’ Federation. Yesterday members loaded the Snevie and Orvieto and provided the calling arrangements are pom pie ted these vessels will sail in a. few days and this may lead to all idle ships being worked at the various ports by the Federation. A mass meeting of strikers reaffirmed their determination to refuse to man -the ships until their demands wore granted. Although no actual discord was manifest there was ample in dication that tbe morale of the men is seriously affected by the collapse of the strike in other parts of the world.

Tlic Overseas Shipping Reprcsentativos Association states the strike ail proha lily end this week. Special meetings of the Sydney branch of the Australian Seamen's Union are being held to-day to considei the nltimatum served on the State Government demanding the abolition of the permanent and casual waterside workers union. Should the ultimatum be endorsed the whole coastal shipping will be laid up within ten days. .AIR BRUCE’S INTENT TONS. BRISBANE. Oct. 12. In the course of a speech. Mr Bruce stated the season of maximum shipments from Australia is approaching and the Commonwealth Government would not allow produce to rot on the wharves, hie added that the time had come when the idle oversea ships must he manned and if necessary, protection he given the men working them. HOBO-UP AT GREAT GREA'.MOUTTT. Oct, 13. The steamer Kainpoi, timlier-laden for Sydney, was about to sail this morning when the firemen declined to work unless two trimmers were engaged. The matter was referred to the Wellington Office. Afeanwhile the ship is held up. ENDED AT CAPETOWN. CAPETOWN, Oct. 12. The calling off of the strike is little more than a formality so far as South Africa is concerned. There was no possibility of a successful continuation, and undoubtedly the strike would never have lasted so long but for the support of Trade Union Labour Party, and the weak policy of the Government. What contributed most to its failure, was the action of the Union Castle Company in manning the ships with South African crews This unexpected move proved so effective as to render the eventual success of the strike hopeless. The terms upon which strokers are said to have abandoned title strike could have been obtained at any time. Several strikers are endeavouring to obtain employment in this country. All the -gaoled strikers at Durban have been discharged. The strike position in Capetown is peculiar. Several hundred strikers are jii AVvnherg Camp, hut there are ro

ships on strike. It is understood the owners are willing to agree to the terms submitted to the recent ballot in Durban, but even there the situation is very uncertain. Evidently a considerable division of opinion exists both among strikers and Labourites, who are advising them, but it may Bo taken for granted that no lite is left in the strike. The departure of the Ballarat with a new crew after sis weeks’ detention has ended it. so far as Capetown is concerned. STRIKE BROKEN. LONDON. Oct. 13. Air Shimvcll announced that all ports except London have decided to terminate the seamen’s strike immediately.