SHIPPING TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1925, Page 3

SHIPPING TROUBLE

[Australia A N.Z. Cable Association.j SYDNEY, October 28. Following on tlie arrest ol a strikers picket for stoning two seamen returning to their ship late last night, the police were stoned bv other pickets. Subsequently over three hundred strikers assembled and marched to ( ireulai Quay. All the police in the city area were hurried to the scene in motor ears, met and dispersed the strikers. Five arrests were made. ” Owing to steps taken quietly in Sydney more than a week ago by the shipowners, perishable cargo on more than j one steamer held up in North Queens- | land will be preseved. Tbe collier Corrinal cleared several days ago lor j New Caledonia with a lull cargo of coal j but on leaving Sydney sailed mirth. | She will coal the steamer Baparoa oil j Townsville and then return to coal the I steamer Bold Hardy olf Bowen. j WANTON ACTION. ! SYDNEY. October 2'S j Details received on the attack on j the steamer Somerset at lowusville by j strikers, who endeavoured for two days j to damage the vessel seriously when.

the attempt was made to get the vessel, which is an oilbtirner, from the | wharf. The pilot and tug hands re-| fused to handle her. A large number | of strikers then attaeketl the ship and j bombarded her with lumps of coal and also threatened to burn tin- vessel. Later a parly of strikers in a rowing Lout- attempted to disable the ship s propellers and rudder but were prevented by the arrival of the police. bosition EASING. SYDNEY, Oct. 28. Although there is no sign of an endin. the strike position in Sydney is steadily improving and shipowners gradually regaining sufficient command of the situation to despatch vessels. Last night the stumer C'hrixtianshorg sailed for the South Seas manned by a full crew AVatersidcrs continue work on all the vessels. BRISBANE, Get. 28. During a conference between waterside workers, seamen and shipping company's representatives at Gladstone. Williams of the steamer Mahia. said the strike committee Had broken its promises respecting coaling bis vessels, lie said be delayed coaling until Wednesday. but did not think farmers would be put off any longer. Coal "as available and the farmers had been promised ample police protection. The matter was then allowed to stand over until Wednesday night, after tbe strik-

l, !U l agreed to withdraw pickets. Farmers of the district had been cnctilarised urging that every loyal citizen should assist to protect voluntary workers at Gladstone to load coal. It is understood that if necessary any number of farmers from 230 to one thousand will so to Gladstone. The attitude of the strike committee towards British vessels with colon roil crews appears to he undecided. There is no indication whether the committee intends to enforce the decision of the strikers that all British ships entoriuo Brisbane should lie declared black. T It" has been disclosed that the crews of the tugs state they will refuse to handle any ships on which the cmbartro is placed. I'HR TIL Oct. 28. As a result of the seamen's strike. nIK I the embargo placed on Fremantle by the owners, less than fifty per cent, of the watersiders there are working and those working are averaging only

-,os weekly, wages. MELBOURNE!, Oct. 28. The steamer Sophocles has sailed for Sydney. Her crew, who were engaged i„ South Africa, is composed of sons of farmers. It is expected, when the ship reaches Sydney that she will Ire held up as the crew: signed on for the voyage out only.

TUG HANDS THREAT. BRISBANE. Oet. 28. The threat of the tug hands not to handle black ships was forestalled, when three British vessels berthed at Binkenha Wharf instead of proceeding up the river. These vessels are thus enabled to leave the port without the aid of tugs. Advices from Bowen state the lawless element is terrorising the residents. Tt is reported Hint armed extremists are intimdating the watersiders from taking part in a secret ballot on the rotary' system. The position at Inkerman is alarming, and unless relief is forthcoming this week the farmers will

be faced with starvation and utter ruin. - . „ 1 A meeting of the Chamber ot Commerce decided to telegraph to the Premier, declaring bis protection was demanded, otherwise it is feared the farmers "lio are now desperate, will take the matters into their own hands. MELBOURNE. Oet. 28. The Oroiisnv and Diogenes sailed manned by full crews, there are indications that the support previously given the strikers is failing.